[Viral infection, the mask of decompression sickness and decompression sickness diagnosed as viral infection]

Two cases of diving persons: a soldier from the military centre of divers training and a student amateur diver, have been presented in the study. On the basis of similar symptoms--among others: muscular pain, discomfort, subfebrile body temperature, extremely different, incorrect diagnoses were given and improper treatment was introduced. In the case of the soldier suffering from a viral infection decompression sickness was diagnosed only because he served in a divers unit. Whereas, in the second case a physician did not take into consideration all available history data and diagnosed influenza despite evident symptoms of decompression sickness. In the discussion the factors which should have guided the physician in both cases to proper diagnosis and proper therapeutic management have been indicated.