sick day rules for possible pneumonia

[lsplumb]

Currently at 4 mg prednisone. Started feeling sick 6 days ago and think this is much more than a cold (fever at about 100 F every day plus sinus congestion, dry cough and extreme fatigue). Fear it may be pneumonia as I'm way more miserable than I've ever been with a cold. Tested for COVID twice and both were negative. So... if I up my dose of pred by about 5 mg, will that help my body fight off this virus better/quicker? Will that increased dose help me feel better? Thanks as always for your input.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you think you have pneumonia then you require medical input and probably antibiotics and antiviral meds rather than upping Pred without advice.

nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pneumo...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You definitely need medical advice. And if you need antibiotics and have a fever then yes, you probably will need to follow SIck Day Rules but do discuss it with your doctor.

SDRs usually involves doubling your current dose for the duration of the illness (up to a total dose of 20mg).

It may not help you fight it off faster, it may not make you feel better - but it should prevent you developing other dangerous symptoms because you adrenals are unable to respond as they would normally.