Use of acyclovir therefore is not currently recommended for immunocompetent individuals (i.e., otherwise healthy persons without known immunodeficiency or on immunosuppressive medication).
But because they suppress inflammatory pathways, long-term use of glucocorticoid drugs can lead to side-effects such as immunodeficiency and adrenal insufficiency.
These are people with immature or weakened immune systems (infants, the elderly, people undergoing cancer therapy, and individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).