Prednisone and infections

[kp60]

It seems like I've had a rash of infections - tooth, UTIs, etc since being on Prednisone. Is this a known predisposition of Prednisone?

[piglette]

Your immune system is not so efficient if you take steroids as their purpose is to make you immuno suppressed, as it was your immune system that caused the illness in the first place. So you are more open to catching things.

[kp60 in reply to piglette]

Ah, the complicated immune system. overactive with PMR so suppress it with Prednisone... so hard to know how to keep it in balance.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to kp60]

It isn't necessarily OVERactive - it is merely deranged, inappropriately active.

[kp60 in reply to PMRpro]

so confusing. I take it then that it is not always going to be in the overactive mode, sometimes underactive? Like I shouldn't assume that a Covid or flu shot is going to again cause an overactive response?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to kp60]

I had a bit of a flare with my second Moderna shot - not a sausage with the other two since which were Pfizer. I always assume that Covid could do far worse than the vaccine!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It seems to be for some people - the pred may suppress your immune system enough to make you more susceptible to infections. I can't say I have had more infections on pred than before though.

[Daffodilia]

yes me too - infected belly button, itchy skin. But less reaction to insect bites!

[Exflex]

At one point in my journey I was taking 20mg (as instructed by a locum due to inflammation markers - but they remain high I’m currently sitting at 2.5mg). Whilst at higher doses I had two sinus infections requiring ABs. First Covid jab at10mg which raised my concern about effectiveness knowing the effect of Pred on the immune system.

[Staffieblue]

I only started in August on prednisolone.

Felt so much better pain and discomfort finally under control .

However I have been having UTI symptoms for about 3 weeks , nothing showed up till last weekend had 3 day course antibiotics .

Still seem to need to be passing urine frequently .

Feel bit shaky as well . Hope things improve for you thanks for enquiring about this .

[MamaBeagle in reply to Staffieblue]

I had bladder problems including a UTI. Also prescribed 3 days antibiotics. Why the do that I just don't know. The instructions accompanying the meds clearly said 6 or7 days , and you must complete the course. Needless to say UTI was still there so I made sure I got a FULL course and also made sure they knew I was not happy. I asked them why they prescribed for only 3 days and then wonder why there are so many problems with antibiotic resistance? I didn't get an answer needless to say 🤷!

[Preacherball]

Somewhat ironically, to the best of my knowledge I have not had any illnesses, including covid, since I was diagnosed with GCA in June of 2021 and been on prednisone.. The only times I have been sick have been three flares, which, in my case, presents as upper respiratory issues (bad sore throat, nasal congestion, bad cough, etc). With each flare I had reduced to 0mg of pred. I am now on a low dose, 6mg, along with Actemra. I plan to stay awhile on a low dose before tryong further reductions, as the flares are pretty miserable.

[Ridge]

I like PMRpro’s description ‘deranged’ immune system which my Rheumy calls ‘angry’. Taking Prednisolone suppresses it so your response to infection is not what it was or should be. The doctors didn’t tell me this so I was surprised when I had a series of infections in the past year. Tooth abscess - tooth out with sluggish response to antibiotics. Paronychia with an overnight stay in hospital on intravenous antibiotics. UTI slow response and allergic reaction to a particular antibiotic. I don’t think I would have had these conditions let alone not responded immediately to any antibiotic. I think I have been on 6 lots of antibiotics in the past year. I understand now and it is made clear on this forum. All I can suggest is treat any cut or injury immediately as if it could become a major infection. I have had another slightly suspect tooth out - just in case! Do what ever is needed to avoid the need for antibiotics. Drink lots of water etc etc. Good luck to us all.