Hi apruden: Show
The question that's much harder to answer is "how long does it last"? The steroids themselves leave the body within two to three days. But how quickly a body recovers its immune functions can be very individual. Many people who have been on high-dose steroids never develop infection at all. Many who did develop an infection recovered with treatment and didn't develop another one after a couple of months. A couple of months was enough time for their immune function to return to baseline. At one extreme of the bell curve are people who haven't recovered their immune function after a couple of months of being off steroids. That could be you, apruden. Because it isn't typical, there isn't a timetable for recovery. At the other extreme of the bell curve are people like me. After doses of chemotherapy agents that were expected to suppress my immune system for six to twelve months, my immune system recovered after only three to four weeks. I found out about my unusually fast recovery by several true, raging inflammatory relapses about a month after chemo. Each time, it was like throwing gasoline on a fire. In addition, any MS DMD that modulates or suppresses the immune system (e.g., interferons, Gilenya, Tysabri) can affect your post-steroid susceptibility to infection. There are blood tests of immune components that can give an indication of your immune status. Knowing how far away from ideal your immune components are can give an indication of how far you have to go to return to normal, although they can't predict how long it will take for that to happen. If you're interested in that, you'll have to convince your doctor(s) that there could be value in knowing your status. In some conditions and with some medications, such tests are routine to verify that the immune system is sufficiently suppressed. On the other hand, my doctors never tested my immune component status at all, and were clueless about why I relapsed so quickly after chemo. In summary, there isn't an absolute answer for why you're still developing (or failing to recover from) infections after steroid treatment. No one else's experience can be predictive of yorus. In the meantime, you'll have to be extracareful to avoid sources of infection. And you can consider talking with your doctors (whether neuro of GP) about blood testing that can give a picture of your current immune status. I hope you feel better soon.  Weigh the benefits and risks of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, when choosing a medication. By Mayo Clinic StaffCorticosteroid drugs — including cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone — are useful in treating many conditions, such as rashes, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma. But these drugs also carry a risk of various side effects. How do corticosteroids work?When prescribed in doses that exceed your body's usual levels, corticosteroids suppress inflammation. This can reduce the signs and symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, asthma or skin rashes. Corticosteroids also suppress your immune system, which can help control conditions in which your immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. How are corticosteroids used?Corticosteroid drugs are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), asthma, allergies and many other conditions. These drugs also help suppress the immune system in order to prevent organ rejection in transplant recipients. Corticosteroids also treat Addison's disease, a relatively rare condition where the adrenal glands aren't able to produce even the minimum amount of corticosteroid that the body needs. Corticosteroids are administered in many different ways, depending on the condition being treated:
What side effects can corticosteroids cause?Corticosteroids carry a risk of side effects, some of which can cause serious health problems. When you know what side effects are possible, you can take steps to control their impact. Side effects of oral corticosteroids Because oral corticosteroids affect your entire body instead of just a particular area, this route of administration is the most likely to cause significant side effects. Side effects depend on the dose of medication you receive and may include:
When taking oral corticosteroids longer term, you may experience:
Side effects of inhaled corticosteroids When using an inhaled corticosteroid, some of the drug may deposit in your mouth and throat instead of making it to your lungs. This can cause:
If you gargle and rinse your mouth with water — don't swallow — after each puff on your corticosteroid inhaler, you may be able to avoid mouth and throat irritation. Some researchers have speculated that inhaled corticosteroid drugs may slow growth rates in children who use them for asthma. Side effects of topical corticosteroids Topical corticosteroids can lead to thin skin, red skin lesions and acne. Side effects of injected corticosteroids Injected corticosteroids can cause temporary side effects near the site of the injection, including skin thinning, loss of color in the skin, and intense pain — also known as post-injection flare. Other signs and symptoms may include facial flushing, insomnia and high blood sugar. Doctors usually limit corticosteroid injections to three or four a year, depending on each patient's situation. Reduce your risk of corticosteroid side effectsTo get the most benefit from corticosteroid medications with the least amount of risk:
Weigh the risks and benefits of corticosteroidsCorticosteroids may cause a range of side effects. But they may also relieve the inflammation, pain and discomfort of many different diseases and conditions. Talk with your doctor to help you better understand the risks and benefits of corticosteroids and make informed choices about your health. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide
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See also
. Does taking prednisone for a week lower your immune system?Prednisone Increases Your Risk of Infection
Infections are more common in people taking prednisone because it suppresses your immune system. This makes it harder for your body to fight off infection.
Does prednisone ruin your immune system?Because prednisone suppresses the body's immune system, it can also increase the risk of infection. Therefore, some precautions need to be taken. Before taking prednisone, talk to your healthcare provider about the following: If you have a history of allergies to prednisone or other steroid drugs.
How can I boost my immune system when taking prednisone?Vital Information: A new study shows that vitamin D, taken in combination with steroids, can enhance the effect of these drugs to subdue an overactive immune system. The addition of vitamin D may lower the dosage of steroids needed, and avoid some of their side effects, such as infection and weight gain.
How long does it take for your immune system to recover?Most people bounce back in seven to 10 days. "During that time, it takes the immune system three to four days to develop antibodies and fight off pesky germs," says Dr. Hasan.
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How long for immune system to recover after prednisone
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