Bacterial infection and GCA symptoms

[Manihiki]

This is a random question but I have wondered if there is a connection between GCA symptoms I experience when I have had a bacterial infection (like kidney infection or chest infection) and the infection? I mentioned to my rheumatologist that I felt the GCA symptoms when I got any other infection and he said that it was my immune system kicking in but now I am wondering if it is that or that the infection is stressing my steroid levels. Just curious and wondered whether others experienced the same thing?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Could be either - but the adrenal question depends to some extent what your current dose is.

A lot of people say they have FEWER PMR/GCA symptoms when they have something else going on - accounted for by some doctors as the immune system having something else to play with so forgets to play at PMR/GCA.

[HeronNS]

Would the increasased inflammation caused by the infection be adding to your total inflammation load at the time, and could this make your GCA more symptomatic?

[Manihiki in reply to HeronNS]

That sounds reasonable to me. I just wondered what others experienced.

[HeronNS]

Given the unusual and sometimes very serious autoimmune reactions some former covid patients are experiencing it lends credence to the idea that infection of some sort plays a role, but is our immune system's reaction to the infection the real problem for us, no matter the actual cause?