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Infection. What do we do?

Posted , 12 users are following.

celia14153
celia14153

I’ve been on Pred since June and managed to avoid bugs etc.  Now I’m feeling a bit unwell and it’s hurting slightly to swallow, always a bit unnerving in case it develops into a strep throat. I know Pred depresses the immune system so should I rush to the doc or see how it goes with a bit of self medication? How have you all managed viruses etc? 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Bethune
    Bethune celia14153

    Posted

    I've been on pred 8 years and not sick at all.  The one time I felt "throaty" the doc put me on antibiotics earlier than usual, just in case.   Good luck... no harm in getting checked out.

    • celia14153
      celia14153 Bethune

      Posted

      Thanks so much Bethune, very comforting. I will get checked out as you suggest.  
  • EileenH
    EileenH celia14153

    Posted

    If it is a virus there is little a doctor can do. There is a lot said about immune system suppression with pred - many of us actually find we have fewer infections while on pred!

    If there is sign of bacterial infection then you may need antibiotics - but they do nothing for viral infections, even for us. Perhaps run it past your GP, but don't expect abx just because you are on pred.

  • lilian05079
    lilian05079 celia14153

    Posted

    Hi celia14153

    I had strep throat and shingles one after the other on preds. I picked up viral and bacterial infections especially if i was around people who already had them. I could not visit my grandchildren if they had viruses and colds and i have quite a few g/children. This was one of the reasons that pushed me to get off preds..not so much the viruses and colds but not being able to see my g/children. Even with the flu jab i got flu all through winter...not anymore haven't had a sniffle.

    I can recall always having a sore throat when on preds....try not to be too near anyone with viruses and colds...my best wishes to you celia14253 that it doesn't devrlop into strep.....

  • nick67069
    nick67069 celia14153

    Posted

    I just  had mild cold, coughing, but no fever.  It seems like that some of PMR symptoms also have returned, so I bumped up my dose from 4mg to 5mg for several days. As soon as cold got better, I returned to my original dose of 4mg. I did go to a doctor and he gave me some medication to help relieve some symptoms for cold, especially during the night.
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