If you take a course of steroids you may be given a blue ‘steroid card’ providing details of the prescriber, drug, dosage and duration of treatment. This should be carried with you at all times and given to any health professional treating you. If you were to become unconscious health staff would immediately be aware your steroid treatment needed to be continued and that the dose might need to be increased temporarily
If you become ill, require surgery or have an infection, the dose of steroids may need to be increased. This is because your body needs more steroids when exposed to physical stress. Your body’s requirement for extra steroids when unwell can persist for many months after a course of steroid treatment, especially if the course is prolonged or has to be repeated
Because steroids damp down your immune response, you should avoid people with chickenpox, shingles and measles. You could become seriously ill from these conditions. Tell your doctor promptly if you have come into contact with anyone who has these conditions as you may be able to have a protective injection
Also, even mild infections, such as a cold or sore throat, may develop into a more serious illness. Contact your doctor if you have not been able to shake off an infection