[Guest]

Our daughter with CF (13 months) takes Pulmicort Q12. .5mg/2.0 ml. per respule.
We do not notice any asthma symptoms as before her diagnosis. I would say Steroids are the least understood of all medications.

I know steroids reduce inflammation.. That's about it. How do they work? Is there a risk of increased lower respiratory infection if you are on a steroid such as our daughter?

Are the side effects associated with prednisone similiar with Pulmicort or Nasonex (which we also take).?

By the way.. Our daughter is very, very healthy inspite of all the medications she takes. Our doctors are proactive in the preventative medication area. We are very ok with this.

[Guest]

You are correct that steroids work by reducing inflammation. Inhaled steroids can give rise to fungus in the nose or mouth area but not usually a problem for lower respiratory tract infection. We do recommend that the mouth be rinsed after use and care is taken not to get any of the aerosol in the eye area.

Prednisone has more significant side effects but the inhaled steroids are associated with growth delay.
[quote] Our daughter with CF (13 months) takes Pulmicort Q12. ... [/quote]