I-day physical question...please help.

chiromed0

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Messages
78
Well, I've got a concern. Like many parents of future plebes the last few months seem like your trying to guide a bull through a china shop. We've dodged a pneumonia & mono scare and now a bug bite that has been diagnosed as ringworm. Yes, it looks ugly and I-day is coming soon. Is a condition like ringworm a deal killer? We are aggressively treating it and hope it will be in remission by then but obviously I was worried about it being a bullseye rash and Lyme disease. We do not live in an area where that would be the first diagnosis but I'm sure it can happen anywhere by chance.

I'm a healthcare provider and I tell you I've almost wanted to quarantine my DS until I-day. He's worked so hard to be sidelined by an illness. Any experiences or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
First off, I'm NOT an MD.

That said, ringworm should not be a killer; it's a fungal infection that is easily treated with medication. Be sure to disclose it so that he/she can continue meds during PS.

Basically, you need to worry about a condition that will prohibit participation in Plebe Summer. That would likely include broken bones, mono, severe pneumonia, major surgery a few days before I-Day, etc.

Some items would likely depend on severity (e.g, sprains). If you'll be ok in a few days, they'd likely let you participate. If you're going to be out for 4 weeks . . . another story. Minor conditions such as a cold shouldn't be any problem.

You can never fully insulate anyone. You can take some sensible precautions, such as not engaging in high-risk activities over the next 10 days -- e.g., roller blading. Not much you can do to prevent infection other than common sense such as hand-washing.
 
When I got my appointment a few months ago, one of my good friends asked me how big my plastic bubble was going to be.

All joking aside, though, I got a nasty cough/cold thing a few weeks ago, and it's stuck around. It's ended up severely affecting my preparation for plebe summer, unfortunately. ):

I hope the ringworm gets better!
 
Ringworm is contagious. It can be spread when you share things like towels, clothing, or sports gear. Call USNA and explain the situation; he in may in fact be told to continue the prescribed treatment and USNA medical will follow up during the induction process. On the other hand, not disclosing is risky. Ringworm is not a worm (I'm sure you know that as a medical provider); it is the same fungus that causes jock itch and athlete's foot. This is not something to take the chance of spreading to his shipmates, especially with the hot, humid and close quarters of Plebe Summer.
 
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Lotrimin or Any OTC Anti-Fungal

Well, I've got a concern. Like many parents of future plebes the last few months seem like your trying to guide a bull through a china shop. We've dodged a pneumonia & mono scare and now a bug bite that has been diagnosed as ringworm. Yes, it looks ugly and I-day is coming soon. Is a condition like ringworm a deal killer? We are aggressively treating it and hope it will be in remission by then but obviously I was worried about it being a bullseye rash and Lyme disease. We do not live in an area where that would be the first diagnosis but I'm sure it can happen anywhere by chance.

I'm a healthcare provider and I tell you I've almost wanted to quarantine my DS until I-day. He's worked so hard to be sidelined by an illness. Any experiences or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.
On our wrestling team ringworm would show up now and then. Lotrimin or any other OTC anti-fungal usually did the trick after a week or so. Best bet would be to check with a dermatologist and get official word, then treat per doc's instructions.
Cheers...
 
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