Vietnam Survival Challenge Group 3 By: Nicky Scudiero, Anthony Cipriano, Nawshaer Safi, & Matt Kurkela

Vietnam War (1962–1975): Malaria felled more combatants during the war than bullets. The disease reduced the combat strength of some units by half. Over 40,000 cases of Malaria were reported in US Army troops alone between 1965 and 70 with 78 deaths. The U.S. Army established a malaria drug research program when U.S. troops first encountered drug resistant malaria during the war. ( Anthony Cipriano Malaria

CP pills and other ways to prevent diseases Also known as Monday pills and Daily's. Anti Malaria pills that were taken once a week usually by the normal solider in Vietnam. Most commonly taken on Mondays. Taken 6 weeks after leaving as well. With the tablet came 2 or 3 days diarrhea. Matt Kurkela

FIRE ANTS! Fire ants, stinging ants stinging ants have a dedicated venom-injecting sting as well as mandibles. The venom of fire ants is composed of alkaloids such as piperidine (see Solenopsis saevissima). The sting swells into a bump, which can cause much pain and irritation at times, especially when caused by several stings in the same place. The bump often forms into a white pustule, which can become infected if scratched, but if left alone will usually flatten within a few days. The pustules are obtrusive and uncomfortable while active and, if they become infected, can cause scarring. Some people are allergic to the venom, and as with many allergies, may experience anaphylaxis, which requires emergency treatment.[7] An antihistamine or topical corticosteroids may help reduce the itching[. First aid for fire ant bites includes external treatments and oral medicines. External treatments: a topical steroid cream, or one containing aloe vera Oral medicines: antihistamines Matt Kurkela

Dysentery Dysentery (formerly known as flux or the bloody flux) is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the feces with fever and abdominal pain. It is caused by contaminated water. During the war the soldiers ran out of water and didn’t enjoy the taste of the purified water so they drank the dirty water, thus giving them dysentery. The only way to stop it was to purify the water with chloride of lime. It affected the soldiers, because they had the runs and it was painful, really brought down moral. Anthony Cipriano

Dehydration Many troops suffered from dehydration Constant Dehydration led to thickened blood Dehydration was common along with heat exhaustion, ringworm and beriberi. Nicky Scudiero

Jungle Rot Tropical ulcer (also known as "Aden ulcer," "Jungle rot," "Malabar ulcer," and "Tropical phagedena")is damage occurring in cutaneous leishmaniasis. It is caused by a variety of microorganisms. It is common in tropical climates. Treatments in early stages is Penicillin In extreme cases, amputation is needed Nicky Scudiero

Monsoon Conditions Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate. There are two monsoon seasons -- the southwest monsoon from April to September and the northeast monsoon from October to late March or early April. The southwest monsoon is hot while the northeast monsoon is cool. Nicky Scudiero

Leeches Leeches are segmented worms that feed on decomposing bodies. Some can also feed on human blood, which caused issues when troops traveled through water in the Vietnam war. Leeches would feed on soldiers as they moved through bodies of water. To get them off soldiers would use cigarettes or insect repellent. Nawshaer Safi

Snakes/Other Insects & Animals Vietnam is home to 30 different species of venomous snakes such as the king cobra. 30,000 people get bite every year. Soldiers would deal with snakes by walking around or shooting them. One snake was called the “Two step” because it was rumored that you could only walk 2 steps after being bitten before dying. Spiders, rate, water buffalo, tarantulas, and tigers were all present during the Vietnam war Nawshaer Safi