Allergies? Disqualify?

[MilitaryMed]

I have an allergy to peanuts and nuts, which causes me to go into anaphylactic shock. Would this disqualify me from the HPSP?

What about seasonal allergies?

Thanks for the help!

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[Blut4Oil]

A history of anaphylaxis, regardless of cause, is disqualifying.

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf
Chapter 2-30.

I have no idea whether or not you could get this standard waved.

A current history of allergic rhinitis is only disqualifying if it is not controlled with oral medications or topical steroids.
Chapter 2-25.






http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf

 

[MilitaryMed]

A history of anaphylaxis, regardless of cause, is disqualifying.

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf
Chapter 2-30.

I have no idea whether or not you could get this standard waved.

A current history of allergic rhinitis is only disqualifying if it is not controlled with oral medications or topical steroids.
Chapter 2-25.

Has anyone had any experience with this? Can this be waived if I carry an epi-pen on me?

Thanks!

 

[Gastrapathy]

Has anyone had any experience with this? Can this be waived if I carry an epi-pen on me?

Thanks!

Probably not.

I would recommend against a waiver and would ask you to think about this for a second. The purpose of carrying 2 (not 1) epi-pens is to provide the initial treatment for anaphylaxis with the plan to immediately seek emergency care. True anaphylaxis often requires more epi and other supportive measures that would not always be readily available. You would not be world-wide deployable without considerable risk. Add to that the fact that these are food allergies and we have multinational common dining facilities. Your exposure risk in the military is high.

All told, you would either not be able to do the job or would have to accept a degree of risk that appears unacceptable.

 

[MilitaryMed]

Probably not.

I would recommend against a waiver and would ask you to think about this for a second. The purpose of carrying 2 (not 1) epi-pens is to provide the initial treatment for anaphylaxis with the plan to immediately seek emergency care. True anaphylaxis often requires more epi and other supportive measures that would not always be readily available. You would not be world-wide deployable without considerable risk. Add to that the fact that these are food allergies and we have multinational common dining facilities. Your exposure risk in the military is high.

All told, you would either not be able to do the job or would have to accept a degree of risk that appears unacceptable.

You make very good points, I am just wondering if anyone has gotten around this through waivers when attempting to get into the medical corps...

 

[MilitaryMed]

Sorry to double post on my own thread, but is a history of anaphylaxis non-waiverable? I have extensively searched through the forums and literature and can not find an answer. If anyone can shed light on this topic, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[AF M4]

I haven't seen it waived. As Gastrapathy mentioned, true anaphylaxis to things like peanut butter, bee stings, etc., renders you unable to deploy. There are also vaccines that the military requires that you might not be able to take, although I'd have to check the specific literature on that.

Also, when I was doing the flight surgeon bit for the Air Force, I came across a couple of people who "discovered" they had anaphylactic reactions to certain things while they were wearing the uniform. Luckily they suffered no permanent harm, but I had to file some paperwork called a medical evaluation board that led to their quick medical discharge from the service.

Long story short, I doubt that you'll make it past the initial intake medical history form. Do NOT lie on this just because you think you want to be in the military. Aside from the legal ramifications, you would be one MRE containing peanut products during basic training away from getting yourself killed.