In the first episode of House M.D., they were receiving cortisone treatment and cortisone caused the condition to worsen because the woman had tapeworm in her body. Then they said cortisone was not given to someone who had tapeworm in their body, but they did not go into detail. I wondered why, what is cortisone doing to the body when tapeworm becomes deadly?
Because cortisone is a steroid derivative. These types of drugs suppress the immune response and immune system. The immune system tries to suppress a fungus or flatworm that normally enters the body. Therefore, we do not easily get systemic fungal infections. But if immunity is suppressed with the steroid, the parasites in question take control. Therefore, steroids are not used.
Note: In parasitic worm infections involving brain tissue such as neurosysticercosis, steroids are recommended by the World Health Organization along with antiparasitic drugs. Because while the parasitic cyst in the brain infection breaks down with the drug, these formed parts stimulate the immune response. Therefore, when killing the parasite with medication, it is also recommended to start steroids to relieve symptoms.
