Management of patient with pneumonia and hypothyroidism-A case study

Infection risk associated with hyperthyroidism although not uncommon, may present with increased mortality if left untreated. The role of hyperthyroidism and its risk for infection is primarily due to the hyper metabolic effect on the body. Modification to the sympathetic nervous system produces a down regulation of the neutrophil response towards the sites of inflammation and/or infection. Consequently, remarkably increasing the risk for complications of infections to occur i.e., bacterial pneumonia¹. The 68 year-old female came with the complaints of orthopnea, mild cough and breathlessness. She was admitted to the ICU and was treated with stat doses of anti-hypertensive, nebulization with bronchodilators, physiotherapy and antibiotics. She was also prescribed with Thyronorm to treat hyperthyroidism. This case was effectively managed for two weeks. The patient showed marked progress in the health status after 4 days of rigorous treatment. During the last week of care orthopnea reduced to a great extent as she could sit in fowler's position comfortably. There was marked decrease in the pallor and her general health improved a lot.