COMMON PROBLEMS/CONDITIONS
History has often demonstrated that the course of battle is influenced more by the health of the troops than by strategy or tactics. Health is largely a personal responsibility. Correct cleanliness habits, regular exercise, and good nutrition have much control over a person's well-being. Good health does not just happen; it comes with conscious effort and good habits. This appendix outlines some basic principles that promote good health.
a. Because of the close living quarters frequently found in an Army environment, personal hygiene is extremely important. Disease or illness can spread and rapidly affect an entire group.
b. Uncleanliness or disagreeable odors affect the morale of workmates. A daily bath or shower assists in preventing body odor and is necessary to maintain cleanliness. A bath or shower also aids in preventing common skin diseases. Medicated powders and deodorants help keep the skin dry. Special care of the feet is also important. You should wash your feet daily and keep them dry.
a. Poor sanitation can contribute to conditions which may result in diarrhea and dysentery (a medical term applied to a number of intestinal disorders characterized by stomach pain and diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood). Medical personnel can advise regarding the cause and degree of illness. Remember, however, that intestinal diseases are usually spread through contact with infectious organisms which can be spread in human waste, by flies and other insects, or in improperly prepared or disinfected food and water supplies.
b. Keep in mind the following principles that will assist you in preventing diarrhea and/or dysentery.
(b) To treat water with iodine--
(3) Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds after using the latrine or before touching food.
(4) Wash your mess kit in a mess kit laundry or with treated water.
(5) Food waste should be disposed of properly (covered container, plastic bags or buried) to prevent flies from using it as a breeding area.
a. Care of the mouth and teeth by daily use of a toothbrush and dental floss after meals is essential. This care may prevent gum disease, infection, and tooth decay.
b. One of the major causes of tooth decay and gum disease is plaque. Plaque is an almost invisible film of decomposed food particles and millions of living bacteria. To prevent dental diseases, you must effectively remove this destructive plaque.
a. Drug abuse is a serious problem in the military. It affects combat readiness, job performance, and the health of military personnel and their families. More specifically, drug abuse affects the individual. It costs millions of dollars in lost time and productivity.
b. The reasons for drug abuse are as different as the people who abuse the use of them. Generally, people seem to take drugs to change the way they feel. They may want to feel better or to feel happier. They may want to escape from pain, stress, or frustration. Some may want to forget. Some may want to be accepted or to be sociable. Some people take drugs to escape boredom; some take drugs because they are curious. Peer pressure can also be a very strong reason to use drugs.
c. People often feel better about themselves when they use drugs or alcohol, but the effects do not last. Drugs never solve problems; they just postpone or compound them. People who abuse alcohol or drugs to solve one problem run the risk of continued drug use that creates new problems and makes old problems worse.
d. Drug abuse is very serious and may cause serious health problems. Drug abuse may cause mental incapacitation and even cause death.
C-6. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) formerly known as venereal diseases are caused by organisms normally transmitted through sexual intercourse. Individuals should use a prophylactic (condom) during sexual intercourse unless they have sex only within marriage or with one, steady noninfected person of the opposite sex. Another good habit is to wash the sexual parts and urinate immediately after sexual intercourse. Some serious STDs include nonspecific urethritis (chlamydia), gonorrhea, syphilis and Hepatitis B and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Prevention of one type of STD through responsible sex, protects both partners from all STD. Seek the best medical attention if any discharge or blisters are found on your sexual parts.
a. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).l AIDS is the end disease stage of the HIV infection. The HIV infection is contagious, but it cannot be spread in the same manner as a common cold, measles, or chicken pox. AIDS is contagious, however, in the same way that sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis and gonorrhea, are contagious. AIDS can also be spread through the sharing of intravenous drug needles and syringes used for injecting illicit drugs.
b. High Risk Group. Today those practicing high risk behavior who become infected with the AIDS virus are found mainly among homosexual and bisexual persons and intravenous drug users. Heterosexual transmission is expected to account for an increasing proportion of those who become infected with the AIDS virus in the future.
(2) No known cure. There is presently no cure for AIDS. There is presently no vaccine to prevent AIDS.
(3) Virus invades blood stream. When the AIDS virus enters the blood stream, it begins to attack certain white blood cells (T-Lymphocytes). Substances called antibodies are produced by the body. These antibodies can be detected in the blood by a simple test, usually two weeks to three months after infection. Even before the antibody test is positive, the victim can pass the virus to others.
(4) Signs and Symptoms.
(6) Sex between men. Men who have sexual relations with other men are especially at risk. About 70% of AIDS victims throughout the country are male homosexuals and bisexuals. This percentage probably will decline as heterosexual transmission increases. Infection results from a sexual relationship with an infected person.
(7) Multiple partners. The risk of infection increases according to the number of sexual partners one has, male or female. The more partners you have, the greater the risk of becoming infected with the AIDS virus.
(8) How exposed. Although the AIDS virus is found in several body fluids, a person acquires the virus during sexual contact with an infected person's blood or semen and possibly vaginal secretions The virus then enters a person's blood stream through their rectum vagina or penis. Small (unseen by the naked eye) tears in the surface lining of the vagina or rectum may occur during insertion of the penis fingers, or other objects, thus opening an avenue for entrance of the virus directly into the blood stream.
(9) Prevention of sexual transmission--know your partner. Couples who maintain mutually faithful monogamous relationships (only one continuing sexual partner) are protected from AIDS through sexual transmission. If you have been faithful for at least five years and your partner has been faithful too, neither of you is at risk.
(10) Mother can infect newborn. If a woman is infected with the AIDS virus and becomes pregnant, she has about a 50% chance of passing the AIDS virus to her unborn child.
(11) Summary. AIDS affects certain groups of the population. Homosexual and bisexual persons who have had sexual contact with other homosexual or bisexual persons as well as those who "shoot" street drugs are at greatest risk of exposure, infections and eventual death. Sexual partners of these high risk individuals are at risk, as well as any children born to women who carry the virus. Heterosexual persons are increasingly at risk.
(12) Donating blood. Donating blood is not risky at all. You cannot get AIDS by donating blood.
(13) Receiving blood. High risk persons and every blood donation is now tested for the presence of antibodies to the AIDS virus. Blood that shows exposure to the AIDS virus by the presence of antibodies is not used either for transfusion or for the manufacture of blood products. Blood banks are as safe as current technology can make them. Because antibodies do not form immediately after exposure to the virus, a newly infected person may unknowingly donate blood after becoming infected but before his antibody test becomes positive.
(14) Testing of military personnel. You may wonder why the Department of Defense currently tests its uniformed services personnel for presence of the AIDS virus antibody. The military feels this procedure is necessary because the uniformed services act as their own blood bank in a combat situation. They also need to protect new recruits (who unknowingly may be AIDS virus carriers) from receiving live virus vaccines. HIV antibody positive soldiers may not be assigned overseas (includes Alaska and Hawaii). They must be rechecked every six months to determine if the disease has become worse. If the disease has progressed, they are discharged from the Army (policy per AR 600-110). This regulation requires that all soldiers receive annual education classes on AIDS.
C-7. Heat Rash (or Prickly Heat)
a. Description. Heat rash is a skin rash caused by the blockage of the sweat glands because of hot, humid weather or because of fever. It appears as a rash of patches of tiny reddish pinpoints that itch.
b. First Aid. Wear clothing that is light and loose and/or uncover the affected area. Use skin powders or lotion.
C-8. Contact Poisoning (Skin Rashes)
a. General.
b. Signs/Symptoms.
c. First Aid.
(2) Cleanse affected area with soap and water.
(3) Apply rubbing alcohol, if available, to the affected areas.
(4) Apply calamine lotion (helps relieve itching and burning).
(5) Avoid dressing the affected area.
(6) Seek medical help, evacuate if necessary. (If rash is severe, or on face or genitals, seek medical help.)
Proper foot care is essential for all soldiers in order to maintain their optimal health and physical fitness. To reduce the possibilities of serious foot trouble, observe the following rules:
a. Foot hygiene is important. Wash and dry feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Soldiers who perspire freely should apply powder lightly and evenly twice a day.
b. Properly fitted shoes/boots should be the only ones issued. There should be no binding or pressure spots.
c. Clean, properly fitting socks should be changed and washed daily. Avoid socks with holes or poorly darned areas; they may cause blisters.
d. Attend promptly to common medical problems such as blisters, ingrown toenails, and fungus infections (like athlete's foot).
e. Foot marches are a severe test for the feet. Use only properly fitted footgear and socks. Footgear should be completely broken-in. DO NOT break-in new footgear on a long march. Any blisters, sores, and so forth, should be treated promptly. Keep the feet as dry as possible on the march; carry extra socks and change if feet get wet (socks can be dried by putting them under your shirt, around your waist or hanging on a rack). Inspect feet during rest breaks. Bring persistent complaints to the attention of medical personnel.
Blisters are a common problem caused by friction. They may appear on such areas as the toes, heels, or the palm of the hand (anywhere friction may occur). Unless treated promptly and correctly, they may become infected. PREVENTION is the best solution to AVOID blisters and subsequent infection. For example, ensure boots are prepared properly for a good fit, whenever possible always keep feet clean and dry; and, wear clean socks that also fit properly. Gloves should be worn whenever extensive manual work is done.