prednisone is wonderful. It helps you feel a little better when ...

Prednisone, being a synthetic corticosteroid agent, actually lowers your immune system (not enhances it, unfortunately), and therefore, an infection can last longer. The list of corticosteroids' side-effects goes on and on and on -- muscle-wasting, and osteoporosis just among a few... In my opinion, it is certainly not a good idea to use them for common respiratory tract infections (commond cold). Be very careful with exogenous, synthetic corticosteroids as their side-effects are many and far reaching.