[Update on the use of steroids in infectious diseases]

It is well established in daily clinical practice, on the basis of randomized studies, to add corticosteroïds to the antibiotherapy in cases of S. pneumoniae H. influenzae meningitis, tuberculous meningitis and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in HIV patients. Clear benefits have been demonstrated for these infectious disease. This litterature review aims at updating the use of corticosteroids, adding them to antibiotic treatments, in cases of bacterial community-acquired pneumonia, septic shock, septic arthritis and ENT infectious syndromes. We also highlight the infections at high risk of reactivation when giving a corticotherapy with ≥20 mg/d for more than a month, that should be screened for and discussed in terms of the need for prophylaxis.