Are they more likely to catch things?
Yes. Steroids increase the risk of infection, particularly chickenpox and shingles. Get medical advice straight away if they're exposed.
The full answer, with the sources, is in the guide.
Sources
- NHS: Polymyalgia rheumatica, treatment
- Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis): Giant cell arteritis (GCA)
- US National Institutes of Health (NIAMS): Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
Reviewed 2026-11-09 · next review 2027-11-09