I currently have a chest infection.  I have been given Amoxicillin 500 mg  one to be taken three times a day.  I have also been given prednisone to only take if I carry on wheezing.   I am worried that I could potentially have pneumonia and have read that prednisone is not very effective, and in fact could make things worse.  I also have an inhaler.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Yes, your fear is right. Prednisone is oral steroid. Steroid Chat Doctor.  Because they lower down the immunity and may actually flare up the existing infection. So better not to take prednisone. Inhalers are fine for wheezing. No harm in taking inhalers. Treatment of pneumonia should be guided according to the organism. So get done sputum culture and sensitivity report. Culture report will isolate the causative organism and sensitivity report will guide you about effective antibiotic treatment. So at present, avoid prednisone and continue amoxicillin. If not improving then consult pulmonologist and get done culture report. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.