SYNDROMIC  CHARACTERIZATION

Syndromic characterization of illnesses can provide further clues to narrow the differential diagnosis. Syndromic characterization is a constellation of signs and symptoms that, when present in a specific pattern or cluster of patients, can increase the awareness of a biothreat. Basic illness patterns should be recognizable to all personnel. Medical personnel with advanced training and experience should be able to recognize progressively more complicated syndromes that associate with specific causative agents (Table 2).

In DoD parlance, the phrase “everyone is a safety officer” is frequently used. That phrase can be expanded to biodefense: “everyone is an infection control officer”. Whether in a military deployed setting, in garrison or at home, an individual can take simple steps (community mitigation measures) to limit the spread of communicable IDs.  All service members (ASMs) and combat lifesavers (CLS) should be able to recognize these basic syndromes: respiratory (cough, congestion, shortness of breath), gastrointestinal (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), neurological (confusion, weakness, altered mental status), and cutaneous (rashes). ASMs/CLS should be educated and empowered because they are crucial in stopping the chain of infection for communicable diseases by recognizing basic clinical syndromes, reporting through their chain of command, and taking community mitigation measures.