Military medicine
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Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy have recently suffered epidemics of upper respiratory tract infections. ⋯ Additionally, 873 (81%) the 1,077 plebes who completed an end-of-year questionnaire complained of having one or more respiratory symptoms (> 12 hours) during their first year of school. Of these, 132 (15%) reported that the symptoms significantly affected their performance. Study results suggest that respiratory infections were frequent, had a significant adverse impact on training, and were often attributable to bacterial pathogens.
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Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo represents one type of military operation that the United States and other nations could be engaged in during the next 25 years. These military operations also carry unique challenges to a senior medical officer (or medical task force commander). In Kosovo, the senior medical officer had to help shape the medical environment as the military coalition sought to restore a safe and secure environment. ⋯ N. health care strategy is one of the key elements of U. N. success and the military coalition's exit from Kosovo. The goal of this report is to form a template for medical engagement strategies that a future senior medical officer may use in other similar military operations.