Flight crews with upper respiratory tract infections: epidemiology and failure to seek aeromedical attention

A voluntary questionnaire was used to determine the epidemiology of upper respiratory infections (URI), and whether aeromedical attention was sought. Questionnaires completed by 256 of 276 eligible flight crewmembers revealed that over half, 61.7% (158), reported having greater than or equal to 1 URI during a 6-month period, for a total of 272 URIs. No statistically significant associations, p greater than 0.05, were noted between the occurrence of URI and sex, age, pilot vs. enlisted, or smoking status. Subjects with children living at home with them were more likely to report having URIs than those with no children, p less than 0.10. Aeromedical attention was not sought in 55.5% (151/272) of the URI episodes. An Aeromedical Concern (AMC) was determined to occur in 69.5% (105/151) of these representing 38.6% (105/272) of all URIs. The most common reason for AMC was taking self-prescribed medications. AMCs were more frequent among enlisted personnel than officers (pilots), p less than 0.05. Possible reasons why AMCs may occur are discussed. In summary, URIs are common in aircrews, as is the failure to seek aeromedical attention.