Methotrexate and cold/flu

[Guest guest]

Hello -

I'm new to this board. My son is 18mos and was diagnosed with

systemic JRA in August. He was on prednisolone for about 2 months

and has been off that since Halloween. He's on methotrexate as well,

once per week.

My question is he's been sick with the stomach flu/really bad cold

for about 10 days now and doesn't really seem to be turning the

corner. His symptoms have come in stages over the past 10 days or so.

My husband and I have done some reading on other websites and read

that adults have gone off their methotrexate when they are sick to

allow their bodies to fight off the illness before going back on.

And others have said they didn't go off and ended up in the hospital

with pneumonia.

Called the nurse at his ped. rheum. and she said they typically don't

take kids off methotrexate unless he's in the hospital or he gets the

chicken pox or something. She was going to confirm with the dr. and

also ask if maybe he should get another boost of prednisolone to help

him get over this.

Has anyone experienced something like this?? Have you taken your

child off methotrexate when he/she's been sick?

Thank you!!