I’ve had cause to visit a certain GP twice recently and the first visit he described my condition as Pityriasis rosea. None of the other doctors or dermatologists would concur with this diagnosis but wouldn’t say why. The dermatologist sent me for Ross River virus tests. The surgery called me and informed me of my results(which was a first). I test positive for Ross River. They asked me if I’d like to make an appointment with a GP to discuss management of the disease. The usual GP was away and they gave me an appointment with the GP mentioned above. He did not examine me and only looked at his computer. He reckoned that Ross River and Pityriasis are linked.

He prescribed Prednisolone 25mg and being cautious I’ve looked it up.
One of the conditions where one should avoid taking this drug is: have you had TB? Well, his computer should have told him that I have had Mycobacterium Avium Complex in the past.

Apart from other things like swollen ankles etc..

He didn’t inform me of any data about use of this drug, didn’t really do any background checks.

Should I be seeking a second opinion before starting to take it?

If in doubt, always go for a second opinion.

Your pharmacist will be able to talk to you about the drug and give you a fact sheet.

https://www.drugs.com/cdi/prednisolone.html

MAC isn’t TB, specifically latent-TB to which is a caution when using prednisone/prednisolone.

info sheet

dealing with pain

And

“Treatment of Ross River virus consists of supportive care; no specific antiviral therapy is available. Treatment of the arthralgias and myalgias with analgesics and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may be helpful. Some individuals benefit from swimming, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, or massage; others gain relief only with rest.”

> no specific antiviral therapy is available

Why not!

poikilotherm said:

MAC isn’t TB, specifically latent-TB to which is a caution when using prednisone/prednisolone.

The docktars kept referring to it as atypical TB.

As you may imagine, I’m simply being cautious about the use of drugs.

mollwollfumble said:

> no specific antiviral therapy is available

Why not!

Because they are not sure it is of viral cause.

Whoops, sorry, that was for Ross River, wasn’t it. The other rash skin condition mentioned is of unknown cause. I muddled them.

And, because I didn’t know what it was, I looked it up.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15302746

MAC. Not sure where the relationship to TB is. Seems to be something completely different, except that it makes gungy lungs.

buffy said:

Whoops, sorry, that was for Ross River, wasn’t it. The other rash skin condition mentioned is of unknown cause. I muddled them.

Yep.

Pityriasis rossea is a mild skin rash that’s pink, scaly and inflamed. The condition is quite common, and it is not serious.

The rash usually lasts between 1-3 months and leaves no permanent marks. However, people with dark skin may notice lasting brown spots after the rash has healed.

Once it’s gone, it doesn’t usually come back. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/pityriasis-rosea

I’ve had my rash since August.

mollwollfumble said:

> no specific antiviral therapy is available

Why not!

This is the same for a lot of viral infections.

buffy said:

And, because I didn’t know what it was, I looked it up.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15302746

MAC. Not sure where the relationship to TB is. Seems to be something completely different, except that it makes gungy lungs.

Mycobacterium.

It actually gave me a hole in my lung.

But not M. tuberculosis. Different beast.

buffy said:

And, because I didn’t know what it was, I looked it up.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15302746

MAC. Not sure where the relationship to TB is. Seems to be something completely different, except that it makes gungy lungs.

Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species are mycobacterial species other than those belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and M. leprae. NTM are generally free-living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment.

buffy said:

But not M. tuberculosis. Different beast.

indeed. but that didn’t stop them from isolating me behind bars for a couple of weeks until the issue was resolved.

H1N1 isn’t H3N2 eitiher