Corticosteroids in the treatment of infectious diseases].

I Kronig, M Schibler, M Rougemont, S Emonet

Service de médecine interne générale, Département de médecine interne, de réhabilitation et de gériatrie, HUG, 1211 Genève 14. ilona.kronig@hcuge.ch

Revue médicale suisse 2013 Apr 24

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The addition of a corticosteroid has become a common practice for the treatment of some infectious diseases, such as meningitis, septic shock, moderate to severe Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. The belief that steroids may have a beneficial effect in the early stage of pro-inflammatory infections explains the renewed interest for these treatments. This review of recent literature helps determine the use of steroids in the treatment of infectious diseases as formal guidance, questionable or rather contraindicated. When there is a clear scientific indication for the use of corticosteroids regardless of the current infection, the latter is never a formal contraindication.

Citation

I Kronig, M Schibler, M Rougemont, S Emonet. Corticosteroids in the treatment of infectious diseases]. Revue médicale suisse. 2013 Apr 24;9(383):862-6