title: Deployed military personnel face respiratory problems.
abstract: Historically respiratory infections have had a significant effect on United States military missions as a result of close living conditions, stressful work environments and increased exposure to pathogens. Common cold-type respiratory symptoms were widespread and a frequent cause of minor morbidity during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. This was especially true during the initial deployment phase. To assess the existing situation, a total of 2,872 deployed troops completed questionnaires between January 2005 and January 2006.