3 year old took 3 doses of prednisone and 2 of dexamethasone within a month due to retractive viral induced asthma attacks. was on flovent 2 weeks between attacks. worried about steroid side effect and about child catching another virus. any insight?

Kids on daily therapeutic doses of steroids (2mglkg prednisone or equivalent) for weeks at a time are likely to have a decline in immune response to vaccines or germs. Inhaled steroids have minimal impact on infection rates. A few doses of prednisone or dexamethasone by themselves are unlikely ti impact immune responsiveness. Kids with asthma get more viral infections as a rule, meds or not.

A short course of steroids of less than one week duration is not likely to cause significant side effects. If your son's asthma is not well controlled and he is still experiencing signs of wheezing, shortness of breath and cough, please see your Pediatrician. A virtual visit with HTMG is also available. His course should be further assessed and the use of a spacer reviewed.