Can cortisone injections make me susceptible to respiratory infections? I have been getting injections for about a year in the base of my thumbs for arthritis, and after years of never getting sick, this year I have gotten respiratory infections twice in the last 4 months.
Hi, Yes, it may cause respiratory infection on prolonged use. Common side effects of cortisone injection includes cartilage damage, bleeding, joint infection, nerve damage, tendon injury, thinning of the nearby bone and discoloration of the skin around the injection. In general, you shouldn't get cortisone injections more often than every six weeks and usually not more than three or four times a year. If taken repeatedly it may get absorbed in the blood producing the systemic side effects like increased blood sugar, increased blood pressure, weight gain, cataract and increased risk of infections including that of respiratory tract infection. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.