Deena Ghusson, Evelyn Lugos, Arianna Mora, and Sarah ReBrassier

Mosquitoes:- Annoyance- Carried the malaria disease- Bug Birds started Operation Flyswatter-

every 9-11 days the areas were sprayed with Malathion, which we now know is a nerve gas and soldiers who were exposed are at an increased risk for Parkinson’s

Malaria:- Over 40,000 cases- Causes flu-like symptoms, which negatively

impacted combat effectiveness on both sides- Especially bad in central South Vietnam and the

highlands of the North- U.S. Provided mosquito nets (not really

applicable) and anti-malarial drugs

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- Intestinal infection - Causes vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss- U.S. used drugs that had yet to be approved by the FDA to combat this- Easily spread in unsanitary, wet conditions- Necessary equipment for treatment was not readily available

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- An annoyance and a danger- faced both poisonous and disease carrying animals/ insects- Over 30 poisonous snake species- the “two step” was a myth told to keep people alert, this

mythical snake was named this because legend said you could only take two steps after being bitten before you died

- Soldiers only had a general idea on how to identify poisonous vs. nonpoisonous snakes- Spiders could also be poisonous, but those that weren’t left large, painful bites- Especially bad in the tunnels- Tiger attacks increased, because tigers would scavenge on the dead bodies and acquire a

taste for human flesh

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● Each monday and for 6 weeks after leaving, the soldiers would choke down a large orange anti-malaria pill also known as the CP pills or the monday pill.

● The pill gave 2 - 3 days of diarrhea and it would cause a burning sensation when the soldiers had to poop.

● It would protect them from 1-4 types of malaria● In 1968 the Dapsone pills (white pills) came and the soldiers were strongly

encouraged to take them this would protect them from 3 types of malaria. Soldiers were told to take them for 6 days a week and it caused them diarrhea everyday.

● Many of the soldier opted on taking the pill and question their commanders. Many did not care for the effect of the mosquitoes until they personally experienced or saw one of their partners with malaria.

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● Once the monsoon rains began in March they would continue for six or more months dropping tons of water on the soldiers

● Hot, Humid, horrible and never ending it seemed for the soldiers. ● Soldiers were soaked for many days had damp feet which caused fungal infections● They had to be wet and damp throughout these conditions

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● Small, copper colored ants ● Bite, sting, then inject venom into skin● Feels like being burned by ice● Can be fatal● Found in soil, mostly near moist areas like rivers● Terrain in Vietnam allowed for many fire ants● Troops wore gas masks and carried CS gas or

DDT bombs in case they encountered them

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● Segmented worms that feed on blood● Found mostly in freshwater environments● Caused burning and irritation ● Often found on troops after they crossed over water● Troops killed them with either “bug juice” (insect repellent) or burned them with cigarettes

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-It is when your body does not have enough or as much water and fluids as the body should.

-There is mild, moderate, and severe dehydration depending on how much fluids your body is missing.

-Symptoms range from:thirst, headaches, muscle cramps to irritability, dizziness, shock, and unconsciousness

-It would effect troops because of the extreme heat and the lack of water they would experience dehydration very often.

-Dehydration caused many deaths and it would also affect the physical conditions of the soldiers making it harder to fight.

-The soldiers would try to save as much water as possible and for as long as possible.

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-This is when ulcers or lesions occur on exposed limbs , it usually happens on open cuts present on the soldiers

-It was caused by bacteria that was found in the jungle areas

-If it is not treated properly it can continue to eat away at the skin and go to the muscle and bones.

-This would happen to many soldiers because they had malnutrition and because of the jungle areas they were fighting in.

-This would affect the troops because they ulcers and lesions were painful and if not treated properly would get worse.

-They could defend against it by trying to stay clean and watching open cuts. Also, by having good boots and socks since this mostly happens in the lower part of the leg.

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