Why do patients who have received cortisone preparations for an extended period have an increased risk of infections?

Why do patients who have received cortisone preparations for an extended period have an increased risk of infections?

• A. Cortisone attracts microbes into the body.
• B. Cortisone suppresses the body's immune response.
• C. Cortisone therapy suppresses the body's natural bacteria.
• D. Cortisone causes increased capillary permeability.

Answer: (B)

Extended cortisone therapy suppresses the body's immune response. Glucocorticoids blunt immune defenses by reducing the activity and number of immune cells (such as lymphocytes and macrophages) and by lowering the production of inflammatory mediators like cytokines. This makes it harder for the body to fight off infections and can even mask typical infection signs, so infections can develop more easily and go less noticed during long-term use. Cortisone doesn’t attract microbes or suppress the body's native bacteria, and while it can affect inflammation and healing, the key reason infection risk rises is the dampened immune response.

Extended cortisone therapy suppresses the body's immune response. Glucocorticoids blunt immune defenses by reducing the activity and number of immune cells (such as lymphocytes and macrophages) and by lowering the production of inflammatory mediators like cytokines. This makes it harder for the body to fight off infections and can even mask typical infection signs, so infections can develop more easily and go less noticed during long-term use. Cortisone doesn’t attract microbes or suppress the body's native bacteria, and while it can affect inflammation and healing, the key reason infection risk rises is the dampened immune response.