Warm water immersion foot: still a threat to the soldier.
We report a significant incidence of warm water immersion foot (WWIF) in a light infantry battalion during a field exercise. Four hundred soldiers belonging to this battalion were surveyed to determine the prevalence of the WWIF syndrome. One hundred forty-nine soldiers surveyed developed the WWIF syndrome. The affected soldiers had a wide range of disability, ranging from mild discomfort to the inability to ambulate. All soldiers had full recovery within 2 weeks of the injuries. Although the syndrome is self-limited, the loss of these soldiers from combat critically impaired the battalion in its mission. We present this report as a reminder that effective preventive measures should be taken prior to field exercises and deployments.
Humphrey
W
W
Department of the Army, Headquarters, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Benning, GA 31905-6100, USA.
Ellyson
R
R
D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007102:Immersion Foot / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008889:Military Personnel; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index