Wearing a medical mask is one of the preventive measures meant to limit the transmission of respiratory infections, including infection caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in China. However, just wearing a mask is not enough, so it is necessary to take other measures, among which the most important ones are to respect the hygiene norms.
What is a medical mask?
A medical mask is a tool used to prevent the transmission of infections. It covers the nose and mouth and has loops that are fastened by the ears. Face masks help to limit the spread of germs. When someone speaks, coughs or sneezes, small drops of pathogens are released into the air that can infect the surrounding people. By wearing a mask, you can prevent contamination of other people.
But wearing a medical mask is just one of the measures to prevent respiratory infections. In this regard, personal hygiene measures are important. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your mouth when sneezing, coughing or wiping your nose, always wash your hands before preparing food, before sitting down at the table and after going to the toilet.
Who should wear a medical mask?
Wearing a medical mask is recommended:
People with symptoms of respiratory infections
People who care for patients with respiratory infections
Those who have been in contact with patients with other respiratory infections
Those who visit hospitals or clinics
Medical staff
Food industry personnel
Drivers or drivers of public transportation
Persons working in unattended or insufficiently ventilated places
Students and teachers (except physical education classes).
Is it advisable to wear a mask to protect yourself from coronavirus?
Given concerns about the new coronavirus in China, many people wonder what is the best way to protect against infection. And many wonder if a medical mask offers protection, and if so, what kind of mask? The most important thing to remember is that the specialists are trying to understand how the new coronavirus is transmitted. The US Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recommends:
Hand washing frequently throughout the day;
Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with bare hands;
Avoid contact with sick people.
These measures help prevent many infections, including those with the new coronavirus.
Recommendations from international organizations for people who are suspected of having infection with the new coronavirus and who have mild respiratory symptoms should:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or disinfect your hands with alcohol-based solution
Keep distance from healthy people at least 1 meter
To wear a medical mask.
Caregivers of those suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus should follow the same measures and, moreover, need to dispose of contaminated material with the patient's secretions as safely as possible and open the windows as often as possible.
This face mask may play a role in preventing infection, but this role is limited in real situations. There is some evidence that the mask protects you from transmitting the virus from hand to mouth, probably because you are more careful not to touch the face when wearing it. You are also more protected from drops when someone sneezes or coughs near you.
The biggest concern that doctors have about these masks is the false sense of security that their wearing gives you. There are many reasons why face masks are not ideal. For example, it is hard to find one that will fit perfectly around the nose and mouth and keep it for a long time. The moment you touch your nose or mouth when wearing a mask, its protective role is lost. In the medical environment, there are clear recommendations regarding when to wear the mask and what protection is indicated depending on the type of infection the patients have.
Precautions related to saliva drops: Use a rectangular medical mask in case of an infection that spreads through large drops when someone coughs, sneezes or speaks. Infections such as influenza, pertussis and certain types of bacterial meningitis fall into this category. Both the infected person and others should wear face masks. It is very important that the caregivers wear a mask every time they interact with the patient and have a new one every time they come in contact with the patient.
What is a medical mask?
A medical mask is a tool used to prevent the transmission of infections. It covers the nose and mouth and has loops that are fastened by the ears. Face masks help to limit the spread of germs. When someone speaks, coughs or sneezes, small drops of pathogens are released into the air that can infect the surrounding people. By wearing a mask, you can prevent contamination of other people.
But wearing a medical mask is just one of the measures to prevent respiratory infections. In this regard, personal hygiene measures are important. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your mouth when sneezing, coughing or wiping your nose, always wash your hands before preparing food, before sitting down at the table and after going to the toilet.
Who should wear a medical mask?
Wearing a medical mask is recommended:
People with symptoms of respiratory infections
People who care for patients with respiratory infections
Those who have been in contact with patients with other respiratory infections
Those who visit hospitals or clinics
Medical staff
Food industry personnel
Drivers or drivers of public transportation
Persons working in unattended or insufficiently ventilated places
Students and teachers (except physical education classes).
Is it advisable to wear a mask to protect yourself from coronavirus?
Given concerns about the new coronavirus in China, many people wonder what is the best way to protect against infection. And many wonder if a medical mask offers protection, and if so, what kind of mask? The most important thing to remember is that the specialists are trying to understand how the new coronavirus is transmitted. The US Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recommends:
Hand washing frequently throughout the day;
Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with bare hands;
Avoid contact with sick people.
These measures help prevent many infections, including those with the new coronavirus.
Recommendations from international organizations for people who are suspected of having infection with the new coronavirus and who have mild respiratory symptoms should:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or disinfect your hands with alcohol-based solution
Keep distance from healthy people at least 1 meter
To wear a medical mask.
Caregivers of those suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus should follow the same measures and, moreover, need to dispose of contaminated material with the patient's secretions as safely as possible and open the windows as often as possible.
This face mask may play a role in preventing infection, but this role is limited in real situations. There is some evidence that the mask protects you from transmitting the virus from hand to mouth, probably because you are more careful not to touch the face when wearing it. You are also more protected from drops when someone sneezes or coughs near you.
The biggest concern that doctors have about these masks is the false sense of security that their wearing gives you. There are many reasons why face masks are not ideal. For example, it is hard to find one that will fit perfectly around the nose and mouth and keep it for a long time. The moment you touch your nose or mouth when wearing a mask, its protective role is lost. In the medical environment, there are clear recommendations regarding when to wear the mask and what protection is indicated depending on the type of infection the patients have.
Precautions related to saliva drops: Use a rectangular medical mask in case of an infection that spreads through large drops when someone coughs, sneezes or speaks. Infections such as influenza, pertussis and certain types of bacterial meningitis fall into this category. Both the infected person and others should wear face masks. It is very important that the caregivers wear a mask every time they interact with the patient and have a new one every time they come in contact with the patient.
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