Has anyone noticed an increase in sinus infections since returning home from Afghanistan?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 15:09:39 -0500

I returned home from Afghanistan in August of 2015. Before deployment I would get sick about once a year, usually a sinus infection that would lead to Bronchitis. However, while on deployment I started getting Sinus Infections more frequently and now that I am home, I get them about every one to two months. Does anyone else have an issue with this? Is it something that could possibly be related to the conditions while deployed?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 21 at 2016 3:12 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 15:12:30 -0500

I don't know why the Army does not issue us breathing masks. We had to use a bandana to cover our mouth and nose.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 21 at 2016 3:53 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 15:53:23 -0500

I got acute asthma following my second deployment and there are thousands of others who suffered an acute ailment post deployment. Take care of yourself, you are not crazy.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2016 8:46 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 20:46:12 -0500

It could come with increased dust and sand exposure. Get yourself a hepa filter air purifier and try using local honey when you can.

Response by MG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2016 8:58 PM

MG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 20:58:29 -0500

Yes. I was in Afghanistan from May of 13 to Oct of 14. Since coming back I have had a higher frequency of sinus infections. Was really bad last year.

Response by PO3 Andrew Unite made Feb 22 at 2016 12:00 AM

PO3 Andrew Unite — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 00:00:43 -0500

VA found a cyst in my right nasal passage, I get allergies, cold, or sinus infection and it has me reaching for anything to stop the pain. I have sinus issues constantly since 2011

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 8:27 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 08:27:20 -0500

I was deployed there Sep. 2010 to April 2011. I get at least two sinus infections a year.

Response by MAJ Daniel Buchholz made Feb 22 at 2016 9:05 AM

MAJ Daniel Buchholz — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 09:05:33 -0500

And this is why I made sure to push this with the VA when I got back. Currently a 0% disability but at least it is in the system. Between the environmental impact and the burn pits (who the heck puts a burn pit upwind of the FOB, we were covered by the smoke 70-80% of the time) it is something to consider. When I left I found a 10 page environmental survey attached to our medical records, nasty stuff in the air.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 10:43 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 10:43:30 -0500

Look into Silicosis, from inhaling that moon dust over there.
I had problems for years due to this.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 12:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:18:57 -0500

The first thing to do is make sure the diagnosis is correct.....many people diagnosed with a sinus infection do not have actual bacterial sinus infections....you may very well be suffering from allergic rhinitis that is complicated with viral upper respiratory infections....,if any doubt get another opinion or and ENT eval to determine the correct diagnosis....,,this is one of the most common diagnostic mistakes I see in general practice...mis-diagnosing a sinus infection

Response by SGT(P) Jessica Brennan made Feb 23 at 2016 4:59 AM

SGT(P) Jessica Brennan — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 04:59:21 -0500

You're not alone on this matter, I've had similar type issues when I'd come off and when I'd be over on my deployments. Just make sure you get it documented in your medical records, so if this type of issue causes you more issues when you get out of the service you will be covered through the VA for a service connection. Also if you were near any burn pits during deployments make sure you sign up for the burn pit registry on the VA website. Here is a link to the VA's website https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/#page/home

Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry

The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry requires a common web browser technology to guide you through the registry questionnaire. You may try a different browser, or you may try from a different computer. You may also see this problem if you are in a high security environment where this is disabled by a network policy.

Response by COL Thomas McGrath made Feb 23 at 2016 6:04 AM

COL Thomas McGrath — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 06:04:35 -0500

Yes, I had sinus infections and nose bleeds for about 10 years after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 7:59 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:59:42 -0500

In what area of Afghanistan were you deployed? Some areas are worse than others for pollution, dust hanging in the air, etc. I was deployed to Kabul in 2013-2014 and the pollution was some of the worst in the country. I had the BDE Surgeon give me an "air quality memo" along with a 2011 study outlining the toxic chemicals to which we were exposed in the city's pollution and had it added to my medical records when I came home. It won't do a lot in the immediate term, but may well be useful as exposure documentation once I retire and go through the VA process.

If you are ever deployed to polluted areas, the best thing to do is get medical personnel to give you some sort of documentation of the conditions (i.e. a memo, preferably with your name on it if possible), pair that with your deployment orders (more proof you were there), and make sure it's all uploaded to your personnel records. As a back-up, always keep a personal hard copy.

Response by COL Richard Graham made Feb 23 at 2016 8:36 AM

COL Richard Graham — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 08:36:28 -0500

Returned from Kabul in Oct 2011, and since Jan 2013 have had a never ending cycle of ear infections, sinus infections, and "root-cause unknown" sinus-related issues...

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Feb 23 at 2016 8:38 AM

COL Jon Thompson — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 08:38:52 -0500

I have suffered with allergies more since my deployments. I encourage you to register for the VA' s burn pit registry. You can get a free VA exam once you do that. I think respiratory issues will be a big problem as we OIF and OEF veterans get older.

Response by LTC Albert O'Rear made Feb 23 at 2016 10:23 AM

LTC Albert O'Rear — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:23:00 -0500

I can't say (nor qualified to say) what it is causing your symptoms but I can recommend that you file a claim with the VA ASAP. (in case what ever the cause manifests into something more serious.) You have 12 months from REFRAD date to secure a presumptive disorder. If you are still on AD, you need to get the condition documented by you PC Physician.

Response by LTC Tracy Brown made Feb 23 at 2016 10:41 AM

LTC Tracy Brown — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:41:12 -0500

I suffer from sinus and allergies since my return from deployment. I have to take medication daily to control the reactions.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 11:14 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:14:46 -0500

Yup, at least for me it got worse, and is pretty much a constant stuffed nose and scratchy throat. Navy medicine says it's "not deployment related" or "just allergies".

Response by SPC Michael Fagan made Feb 23 at 2016 12:07 PM

SPC Michael Fagan — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 12:07:14 -0500

Oh yes I've been getting them real bad since coming back for Afghanistan mine usually last 2-3 months

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 8:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 20:29:02 -0500

Yes, but It was my return from Iraq and Kuwait. My environmental allergies got so bad that I had to start carrying an epi-pen, I developed "environmental asthma," and I started getting sinus infections every couple of months. The second time one of the sinus infections turned into an inner ear infection, the nurse practitioner I was seeing recommended I see an ENT. The final result of seeing the ENT was that my septum was so badly deviated and my allergies were so bad that my sinuses were literally swelling shut, trapping bacteria and viruses in them. I got surgery to correct my septum and got "Windows" drilled into my sinus cavities. Now I only get sinus infections once or twice a year.

That being said, I've had such horrible allergy, lung, and autoimmune issues since coming back. It recently came to my attention that if you were anywhere near a burn pit for a length of time you might have heavy metal particles trapped in your tissues that cause exactly these kinds of issues.

Response by SFC Donald LeBlanc made Feb 24 at 2016 12:42 AM

SFC Donald LeBlanc — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 00:42:34 -0500

Great question, and this is something that you shouldn't take lightly. I served 20 years (with 22 months in Afghanistan and 13 in Iraq) and noticed a dramatic increase in Sinus related infections. Many months being exposed to open burn pits from Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan - and exposure to burning fuel heaters, vehicle exhaust played its role in making my sinuses sensitive. It took a while, but after retirement the VA finally confirmed and validated my medical documents/claims. I've had Bronchial Pneumonia and various upper respiratory infections depending on the climate/location and type of debris in the air. I have utilized Saline Wash to cleanse my sinus cavities (daily if needed) and it really has helped keep the infections and allergic reactions down. Bottom line - don't loose your medical paperwork - get treatment as soon as you have a reaction and keep your "nose clean" as often as possible. It doesn't get better with time.

Response by SSG James Schmerber made Feb 24 at 2016 1:07 AM

SSG James Schmerber — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 01:07:22 -0500

I have had pretty much the same when ever I went over seas to Korea and Germany however after going to Iraq it had gotten worst then I went to Afghanistan as a civilian and now back in Texas I take one Allegra daily to keep it at bay and I also get sinus infections a bout 4 times a year

Response by SPC Geoffrey Jenkins made Feb 24 at 2016 7:41 AM

SPC Geoffrey Jenkins — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 07:41:40 -0500

I have the same problem when I returned from Iraq,they call it the burn pit syndrome,it started as asthma and now they are telling me it's early stages of COPD,i never had asthma a day in my life and never smoked.

Response by Darla Oakley made Feb 3 at 2017 10:30 AM

Darla Oakley — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 10:30:34 -0500

My son returned home from Afghanistan in 2010. His first attack was right before he left there. Since then he has had them so often that he has had 2 surgeries. First, they cleaned his sinus ducts and even broke his nose. It did not help. A week ago, he had another surgery this time they cleaned his sinus ducts. It did not help. I took him to the ER Wednesday night. They keep giving him steroids. He was so fatigued that he couldn't pass his PT test and had to leave the National Guard. He served for 17 years. I have found two other people in my area that has sinus issues. One just had sinus surgery and both served in Afghanistan. I am trying to make contact with both of them. His attacks include swelling of 1/2 of his face, his eye will swell shut, water will run from his eye due to the pressure and terrible headaches. ER trips are common place. He goes to the VA also but they have done nothing to help him. They send him to sinus surgery. Once again, it does not help.

Response by Darla Oakley made Feb 6 at 2017 4:07 PM

Darla Oakley — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 16:07:59 -0500

Just wondering if you received my response.

Response by COL Richard Graham made Feb 9 at 2017 12:00 PM

COL Richard Graham — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 12:00:55 -0500

Every year since returning in October 2011, ear infections and sinus infections chronically, neither of which I had much of at all prior to that tour. Using a sinus rinse daily ("neti-pot" or similar) has helped reduce it significantly, but not eliminated...

Response by PFC Janay Thomas made Aug 11 at 2017 2:11 PM

PFC Janay Thomas — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 14:11:57 -0400

Hi...YES!!!!!...I got out of the army in 2014 and got really sick.. my sinuses started acting up and triggered my allergies which is triggering my asthma.. the va here in Alabama Just diagnosed me with "abpa"yhis year in march. I coded once last year and twice this year, January and February...like I said, march they figured out what it was and started me on a new medication "nucala" to help... abpa doesn't have a cure and can be fatal if you don't get treatment... im not trying to scare yall,but all this is new to me.. I got out thinking I was fine until i developed issues with my sinuses ...then my allergies... then my asthma.. it took two years for me to finally understand whats going on with me... before the military I was healthy.. I never had sinus problems never had an allergy to anything and now I can't even take certain meds.. all of a sudden im allergic to the same meds I was given IN THE MILITARY. If you are having this symptoms please go check it out.. do your research. ..I now get a disability check, and im considered a disabled vet even though I thought I was fine when I left. (THIS PICTURE IS JUST A SCREENSHOT, BUT I WANT YALL TO SEE THAT IM SERIOUS, ABPA IS A REAL DISEASE....LPPK IT UP AND READ ABOUT IT.. IF YOU ARE HAVING THE SYMPTOMS TGEN IT COULD BE THIS SERIOUS!!)

Response by MAJ Sheldon Smith made Jul 13 at 2018 3:58 PM

MAJ Sheldon Smith — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 15:58:49 -0400

Was deployed 04, 06-07 and 09. Last deployment was Kandahar Airfield. I had sinus issues occasionally before then, but have had more frequent and severe issues since that time. I came across your post while seeing if anyone else had similar issues.

Response by 1SG Michael Broughton made Sep 10 at 2018 8:02 PM

1SG Michael Broughton — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 20:02:55 -0400

Yes I have and it persists still. I've found nasocort send to help, nothing else seems to work much, Sudafed works for a day or two but then becomes ineffective. I plan on talking with va doc at next physical.

Response by Cpl D. Myrl Deitchman made Nov 10 at 2021 11:42 PM

Cpl D. Myrl Deitchman — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 23:42:26 -0500

I was not in Afghanistan but in an undisclosed location in the same theatre of operations in 2013, since then I have had sinus problems as well. I chalked them up to allergies, (I have always had seasonal allergies) but this is year round. Never thought it could be from being deployed.