[Question #4556] Another question for Dr. Hook

81 months ago

Hi Dr. Hook,

Thank you so much for your previous responses, they were so very helpful.

Unfortunately I stumbled across this Mayoclinic article yesterday - https://www.mayoclinic.org/steroids/art-20045692 - which states that steroids can increase the risk of infections.

I’m now worrying again about my previous query - in summary I suffer from severe asthma and respiratory issues - including bronchiectasis, bronchitis, COPD/asthma.

I take heavy doses of inhaled and oral steroids long-term, which seem to have the effect of thinning my skin and making it so I cut/bruise easily.

Reading on this forum, I had reassurance that despite my conditions & medication there would be no material increase in the risk of contracting bloodborne (eg HIV/Hep B/Hep C/syphillis/HTLV/HHV-8 etc), or any other STDs (including HSV-1 and HSV-2)? This was via the following potential transmission risks that I’ve been exposed to:

- Living with high risk roommates and sharing razors/toothbrush/towels/potentially unwashed bedding over a period of 3-6 months. No sexual relations or contact however

- Using a fish foot spa once or twice in Asia/Africa

- Getting a non-sexual massage once or twice in Asia/Africa

So in light of the Mayoclinic article, I just wanted to confirm this still stands - ie there has been no change in any of yours or Dr Handsfield’s previous advice? Ie inhaled or oral steroids (even when potentially comprising skin integrity) will not materially increase the risk of bloodborne or STDs via the above-mentioned transmission methods?

Thank you so much again Dr, and Happy Thanksgiving

81 months ago

Also sorry as well as inhaled and oral steroids, could I also check this applies to any other medication associated with these conditions (bronchiectasis, bronchitis, COPD/severe asthma/respiratory etc)

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

81 months ago

I'm taking your question this time. Users do not select the mdoerator who will respond. I reviewed your previous discussions with Dr. Hook and agree with all he said. A major portion of his advice was that you're spending far too much time and energy on the internet. There is no way you "stumbled across" the article you cite; you're searching. And like many anxious persons you are mostly seeing things that inflame your fears and missing the reassuring information that also is present.

Your current illnesses have no effect on the chance you will become infected with any blood borne infection or STD. Those conditions and various forms of immune deficiency may in theory make such an infection worse, but they have no effect on susceptibility to them if exposed. And this is consistent with the steroid information you found in the web link you provided: it says nothing about increased risk of CATCHING such infections. All the reassurance details you heard from Dr. Hook still are valid.

Please note the forum does not permit repeated questions on the same topic or exposure. This will have to be your last one; future new questions about these issues may receive no reply and the posting fee will not be refunded. This policy is based on compassion, not criticism, and is designed to reduce temptations to keep paying for questions with obvious answers. In addition, experience shows that continued answers tend to prolong users' anxieties rather than reducing them. Finally, such questions have little educational value for other users, one of the forum's main purposes. Thanks for your understanding.

Really, mellow out. You're truly not at significant risk of any of the things you are so worried about. If you remain concerned, go back and re-read all Dr. Hook's comments in your two previous threads, and CONCENTRATE on them. Take our advice to STAY OFF THE INTERNET for information about them. And you really should consider professional counseling as well. It is simply not normal to remain so obsessively fearful after the repeated science based reassurance you have had -- probably from your own health care providers in addition to this forum. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.

Good bye and good luck.

HHH, MD

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