Sick in boot camp
 

I've posted on here about my son who is in boot camp. He has been sick most of the time while there but had refused to go to medical because he was a afraid he might get sent home. He had seen three or four recruits get sent home. Well he finally broke down and went to medical. He had pink eye, bronchitis and strepe. They loaded him up with antibiotics and some eye drops and he was SIQ for two days and FFD everyday after, feeling much better. So if you are really sick don't fear medical, that's what they're there for. Just don't go for headaches or nicks and bruises.

It's good know how sick i need to be to go to medical. Sounds like i'll have to be extra vigilant about handwashing and purell.

Sounds horrible =/

I was sick in boot camp from day 1. Your RDC's will discourage you from seeing medical but it's only because they're looking out for you & don't want you to get sent home.

That said, a stuffed up nose, a cough, sneezing is no reason to go. I would say only go to medical if you feel like your health is in serious jeopardy.

Agreed MARodriguez. My son was pretty much sick from day one as well and just recently went to medical. He toughed it out as long as he could (he's PIR is 8/9). Apparently he had quite a combination of illnesses, he said he feels so much better now and able to perform at a higher level. You guys and gals that have been through boot camp most definitely can give the best advice on when and when not to go to medical.

Any advice on what I can do while in boot camp to help prevent myself from getting sick?

In the weeks prior to shipping, take a multi-vitamin to boost your immune system.
DONT touch your face!!!!
Wash your hands frequently.
Stay hydrated

You are most likely going to get sick, almost everybody does and it's not a big deal. If you want to go to medical then go to medical, you will only get sent home if there is something majorly wrong with you. I saw people with pneumonia not get sent home. Don't go to medical for the sniffles or a little cough, but a nagging cough or pink eye go ahead and go. They will give you some meds and send you on your way, you will possibly get a day or two SIQ.

You can go to medical and tell them you want to stay FFD (Fit for Full Duty)... from my experience, they treated me much better and saw me quicker since I told them I wanted to stay FFD. If you go there with a sore throat or runny nose and ask them to put you SIQ, they're gonna treat you like a child... show up repeatedly and they're going to treat you like a malingerer and try to get you diagnosed with depression and sent home... saw it happen.

Everyone will get sick... part of RTC is learning that you can be sick and still perform. But, if you are hurting or legitimately sick, go to medical and get some medication... you'll have the Plan of the Day or can ask your Yeoman when a good time to go will be. The two times I went, I waited until it was PT or some class that I already knew and could miss an hour or two... then I told them I wanted to stay FFD and returned with meds and rejoined my division.

I was one of the fortunate ones to catch the GI (Gastroenteritis) virus when it was going around in Great Lakes. That sucked, I also caught strep while in Seps.