Does systemic corticosteroid treatment at the initial
phases of COVID-19 prevent the immunopathology seen in severe cases?
During the SARS outbreak in 2003, corticosteroids did not change the
course of the viral infection and delayed viral
clearance.159 On the other hand, a retrospective study
on SARS patients in Hong Kong suggested a better survival rate in
patients treated with prednisolone for milder pneumonia or
methylprednisolone in more severe cases.160 Recently,
Chinese experts stated that, in COVID-19 patients, systemic
corticosteroids should be considered on individual indications in a
low-to-moderate dose and for no longer than a week.161The National Institutes of Health in their COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines
advises against the use of systemic corticosteroids in non-critically
ill patients.162