Prednisone, a corticosteroid, significantly suppresses your immune system. This means your body’s ability to fight off infections decreases. The degree of suppression depends on the dose and duration of prednisone treatment.
Specifically, prednisone reduces the activity of your white blood cells, which are crucial for combating infections and diseases. This effect is particularly pronounced on lymphocytes, the cells responsible for targeted immune responses. It also affects your body’s production of antibodies, proteins that help neutralize pathogens.
This immunosuppression increases your risk of infections. Common infections, such as colds and flu, can become more severe. Opportunistic infections, those caused by microbes that normally don’t cause illness in healthy people, become a greater threat. Examples include fungal infections and reactivation of latent viruses like herpes simplex or varicella-zoster (shingles).
| White blood cell activity | Reduced |
| Lymphocyte function | Suppressed |
| Antibody production | Decreased |
| Inflammation | Reduced |
The impact on your immune response necessitates careful consideration when scheduling vaccinations. Consult your doctor; vaccination timing should be adjusted based on your prednisone dose and the type of vaccine. Live vaccines, which contain weakened but live viruses or bacteria, generally should be avoided while taking prednisone due to increased risk of complications. Inactivated vaccines, containing killed viruses or bacteria, may still provide some benefit but their effectiveness might be diminished.
