Whether medical mask protect against colds and flu
Health / / December 19, 2019
Wearing a medical mask is clearly associated with the prevention of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections. These respiratory (affecting respiratory organs), infections are transmitted by airborne droplets. It would seem that in this case the mask becomes a barrier and helps not to get sick. But not all so simple.
Who actually protects medical mask
Doctors and nurses wear a mask to protect the patient from bacteria and viruses that can live in health care workers, as well as at all the people in the respiratory tract and in the mouth. This is a standard measure under examination if the doctor is sick, as well as during surgery or procedures - when you need to ensure sterile conditions.
In conversation, during cough or sneeze, just exhale mucus containing bacteria, flies out. If the composition of the mask (e.g., surgery) is a water repellent material, it can also protect personnel from contact with patient body fluids to the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth and nose.
The mask protects respiratory little addition, on whom she is wearing, so it is not considered a means of personal respiratory protection (RPE). Why? Because the mask is loosely fitted to the face and through the free portions of the contaminated air enters into the inspiratory bypassing the filter material.
Scientists Nizhegorodsky Pathology Research Institute of Hygiene and Health Ministry experimentally determined that the penetration of aerosols outside through the surgical mask is more than 34%Masks and respirators in medicine: the selection and useWhereas for the weakest RPE this figure should not exceed 22%.
To provide maximum protection, the mask mustThe selection and application specific filter of personal respiratory protection completely cover the face. Medical mask is also a half-mask (protects the mouth, nose and chin closes) or chetvertmaskoy - covers only the mouth and nose. Thus, its main function - to reduce the allocation of human infection of the respiratory system to the environment and to prevent infecting others.
When the mask is useless
If a person's eyes in the mask remain unprotected, it will not stop some infections. proved Influenza Virus Respiratory Infection and Transmission Following Ocular Inoculation in FerretsThat the flu virus in contact with the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) of the eye, and then - through the nasolacrimal Channels (two anatomic stroke on the sides of the nose, eyes and nose are connected) to the nasal mucosa can cause typical picture disease.
Part of pathogens transmitted as follows: during the patient has said, sneezes or coughs, he pollutes the surrounding objects. Colonization also occurs when the patient first touches his nose or mouth (adjusts his mask), and then - to something around. Next is a healthy person is in contact with the infected object and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose. Frequent hand washing with soap and water or antiseptic is capable of processing Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses: systematic review reduce the incidence.
When the mask is working
Then, when it is part of a set of preventive measures. Control Center and Prevention of diseases (CDC) recommendsInterim Guidance for the Use of Masks to Control Seasonal Influenza Virus Transmission health worker to wear a surgical mask on the man as soon as he showed the first signs of infection, and isolated in a separate room. Health care workers, caregivers should wear gloves, gowns, face shield or mask, or a mask in combination with protective glasses for your safety.
The instructions for a particular type of mask indicates the time of its use (usually no more than two hours). It is not necessary to wear it longer. Also, do not smoke, eat or drink by sliding the mask to the side: it will bring all the attempts to defend himself on the no.
If the mask gets wet, it should be changed immediately. After the change of mask hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water or antiseptic gel to treat alcohol-based.
Output
CDC does not recommendInterim Guidance for the Use of Masks to Control Seasonal Influenza Virus Transmission surgical mask as protection against the flu. Wearing a mask should not be the only way to prevent the disease. It does not ensure your protection at 100%, while reducing the risk of infection. Only in conjunction with vaccination, Careful hand hygiene and quarantine measures mask can significantly control the spread of infection.
see also
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