Respiratory tract infections in the military environment

Abstract

Military personnel fighting in contemporary battlefields as well as those participating in combat training are at risk of contracting respiratory infections. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that soldiers deployed to the harsh environment have higher rates of newly reported respiratory symptoms than non-deployers. Acute respiratory diseases are the principle reason for outpatient treatment and hospitalization among military personnel, with an incidence exceeding that of the adult civilian population by up to three-fold. Adenoviruses, influenza A and B viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, coronaviruses and rhinoviruses have been identified as the main causes of acute respiratory infections among the military population. Although infective pathogens have been extensively studied, a significant proportion of illnesses (over 40%) have been due to unknown causative agents. Other health hazards, which can lead to respiratory illnesses among troops, are extreme air temperatures, desert dust, emissions from burn pits, industrial pollutants, and airborne contaminants originating from degraded soil. Limited diagnostic capabilities, especially inside the area of operations, make it difficult to accurately estimate the exact number of respiratory diseases in the military environment. The aim of the study was to discuss the occurrence of respiratory tract infections in army personnel, existing risk factors and preventive measures.

Airborne Dioxins, Furans, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure to Military Personnel in Iraq

“…There are limitations and weakness in using DRs for source identification. 52,53,54,55,56 The problems are linked to the differing chemical-physical properties of congeners, which may drive the environmental fate of these compounds after emission into the atmosphere. In fact, ambient temperature affects the different partitioning of congeners between gaseous- and condensed-phases and atmospheric oxidants (radicals, ozone, nitrogen dioxide) may deplete the most reactive congeners.…”

“…Veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq have reported health issues 18,19,20 that may be the consequence of exposures to the high airborne dust levels in arid environments, toxic emissions, extreme physical demands and/or combat situations (explosive blast, etc). 21 In 2008, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) claimed that there was no evidence that exposure to BP emissions created a long-term health risk for deployed personnel and stated that it posed an “acceptable health risk” based on the contaminant levels measured.…”

Association between semi-quantitative microbial load and respiratory symptoms among Thai military recruits: a prospective cohort study

“…The data indicate co-circulation of several different viral agents, and high frequency of bacterial colonization in both non-acute and acute samples. Up to one third of respiratory illness cases among army personnel are reportedly caused by viral or bacterial infections [6]. The gathering of individuals from diverse geographic locations and the crowded living conditions increase the risk of microbe transmission in these settings [7].…”

Vaccine Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections in Adults

“…По данным многочисленных исследований и докладов военных врачей США, охватывающих последние 20 лет, также подтверждается высокая распространенность респираторных инфекций в ходе боевой подготовки и военных операций, проходящих в сложных условиях окружающей среды [26]. Среди факторов риска возникно-вения респираторных инфекций у новобранцев выделя-лись скученность проживания, неблагоприятные климати-ческие условия, физическое перенапряжение, психологи-ческий стресс, которые снижают иммунную защиту.…”