Based on CDC | Does taking Prednisone make it risky to eat eggs—for example by increasing the chance of side effects like salmonella infection—and should I avoid raw or undercooked eggs while on this medication?

Yes taking prednisone can increase your risk of infections, and that means foods with higher risk of bacteria like Salmonella (often linked to raw or undercooked eggs) deserve extra caution. Prednisone (a corticosteroid) lowers the body’s immune response and can make it harder to fight off germs, which can raise the chance and severity of infections. ^[1] Prednisone and other corticosteroids are well known to increase infection risk in a dose‑ and duration‑dependent way, particularly for common bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. ^[2] Because of this increased vulnerability, food safety guidance for people with weakened immune systems recommends avoiding raw or runny eggs and choosing fully cooked eggs or pasteurized egg products instead. ^[3]

Why prednisone changes your risk

• Prednisone suppresses parts of the immune system that normally help contain and clear infections, so infections may happen more easily and can be more severe. ^[1] This effect is general (not limited to one germ), which is why foodborne infections deserve attention while you’re on steroids. ^[2]
• People with weakened immunity whether from medicines like steroids or from medical conditions are considered at higher risk for serious illness from some foodborne pathogens. ^[3]

Eggs and Salmonella

• Raw or undercooked eggs can carry Salmonella, a bacterium that causes food poisoning; runny yolks or foods made with raw eggs (like some homemade dressings or desserts) are classic risk items. ^[4]
• Public health recommendations specifically advise that immunocompromised individuals avoid raw or undercooked eggs and instead use eggs cooked until both whites and yolks are firm, or use pasteurized eggs for recipes that will not be cooked thoroughly. ^{[3] [4]}

Practical guidance while on prednisone

• Choose safer egg options: Eat eggs cooked until yolks and whites are firm, and bake or cook egg dishes to a safe internal temperature. ^[3]
• Use pasteurized eggs for uncooked or lightly cooked dishes (e.g., Caesar dressing, mousse, eggnog) to reduce risk. ^[3]
• In institutional or commercial kitchens, pasteurized egg products are recommended in place of pooled or undercooked shell eggs for higher‑risk people. ^[4]

How cautious do you need to be?

• It can depend on your prednisone dose and how long you’ll be taking it; higher doses and longer courses generally carry more infection risk, so stricter food safety makes even more sense in those situations. ^[2]
• Even at lower doses, standard food safety steps (avoiding raw eggs, cooking thoroughly, and using pasteurized egg products) are a simple way to lower risk without sacrificing nutrition. ^[3]

Quick comparison: risky vs. safer egg choices

• Riskier choices: Raw or runny eggs; foods containing raw eggs (e.g., some Caesar dressings, homemade mayonnaise/aioli, hollandaise, raw cookie dough, homemade eggnog). ^{[3] [4]}
• Safer choices: Eggs cooked until yolks and whites are firm; egg dishes cooked to safe internal temperatures; pasteurized eggs or egg products in recipes that won’t be cooked. ^[3]

Bottom line

• Prednisone can increase your susceptibility to infections, so it’s reasonable to be more careful with foods known to carry germs like Salmonella. ^{[1] [2]}
• To reduce risk while on prednisone, avoid raw or undercooked eggs and choose fully cooked or pasteurized egg alternatives. ^{[3] [4]}