Danger Downrange: Don't Fall Victim to a Rare and Deadly Pneumonia

Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia (AEP)

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP). It’s a mouthful, a mystery, and, even worse, an enemy that targets young service members who smoke. As if you don’t have enough to worry about while you’re deployed, this disease will hit you like a ton of bricks, bring you to your knees, and, in the worst case scenario, hand you a death sentence.

Military doctors are seeing a resurgence of AEP, a rare and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia that is striking young troops who started smoking while deployed downrange. In just the past 5 months, six U.S. service members serving in Central Command’s area of responsibility have been diagnosed with AEP. Though the exact cause of the illness is unknown, 27 of the 36 troops diagnosed with AEP since March 2003 had recently started smoking, according to a July 2008 information paper from the Army’s Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine.¹ Also, three-fourths of those troops came down with the illness while serving in Iraq. Other cases were reported among U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Kuwait, Qatar, and Uzbekistan.

Sadly, two troops have died as a result of the disease. There have been others who were on the brink of death before recovering, and only after being connected to a state-of-the-art breathing machine.

Who is the prime target for AEP? On average, he looks just like you! He is a 22-year-old male new smoker, an exsmoker who has recently relapsed, or someone who has increased his/her smoking. These smokers are also exposed to fine sand and dust particles. Sound familiar? According to doctors, AEP strikes hard and fast. Within just 2 weeks to 2 months of picking up or increasing the smoking habit, people can begin showing symptoms.

The danger escalates quickly. Within 1 to 4 days, patients report shortness of breath, a dry cough, chest pain, and a vague abdominal pain. Within 24 hours after going to a clinic, most AEP patients typically need extra oxygen or have to be put on a breathing machine.²

Exactly what is Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia?

• It is an inflammation of the lungs characterized by eosinophilia.
• Eosinophilia means there is an abnormally high number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell).
• Eosinophilia is a sign of inflammation in the body.
• Often, AEP rapidly leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition that causes lung swelling and fluid buildup in the air sacs of the lungs.³

Troops who want to decrease or even eliminate their risk of AEP can take some simple steps.

• Just don’t smoke! Avoid smoking completely. This is especially important for nonsmokers who are just starting to smoke and current smokers who are increasing tobacco use during deployments or training exercises. Contact your local combat stress control team to enroll in a smoking cessation class.
• Use a cravat or dust mask to reduce dust inhalation.
• Use a wet mop instead of a dry broom when cleaning dust in living and work areas.
• Stay hydrated.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Seek medical care immediately if you have fever, chills, and cough, especially if you have trouble breathing.⁴

None of your training or skills can help you defend yourself against this enemy. The only way to prevent AEP is to stop smoking now. Don’t lose your breath, your lungs, or even your life to cigarettes. The odds are against the smoker, and you have it within your power to level the playing field. Quit Tobacco—Make Everyone Proud.

References

¹ Military Times
² Stars and Stripes
³ USACHPPM Fact Sheet
⁴ AEP Prevention Strategies