Is it Really Effective Mask to Prevent Flu?

Medical Video: Do Surgical Masks Really Protect You from the Flu?

Are you having a cold, or avoiding flu and other viruses? You may need a mask. Apart from being used to protect themselves, this mask is also intended to prevent the spread of the virus. People who get the flu are usually advised to stay at home during the healing period, so that they will not catch another virus, and not transmit the virus. However, now you have found mask sales everywhere. The question now is, is it true that the mask is really effective in preventing the spread of flu or speeding up the healing process?

Is it effective to use masks to prevent flu and other viruses?

Did you know that years ago, researchers were not sure if using a mask could really be effective in preventing the spread of the flu virus. Research published in 2008, in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, concluded that masks must be used correctly to be more effective in preventing the spread of viral infections. For example, a family has a child with flu, then the child uses flu mask with 80% accuracy in using it, so the family member has a small risk of being diagnosed with flu.

Another study published in the Annals of International Medicine found family members can reduce the risk of about 70% of flu when they wash their hands and use masks. Even researchers from the University of Michigan involved 1000 students living in dormitories, these students were divided into groups; those who wear masks, those who wear masks and practice the habit of cleaning hands, those who do not do both. The results show that groups that use masks and wash their hands in dormitories experience a risk reduction of about 75% of flu. It can be concluded that wearing a mask alone is not enough, researchers suggest that these precautions must be accompanied by hand washing.

Do masks have different types?

When you want to wear a mask, make sure you know the types of masks that will be used. Here are some types of masks:

1. Face masks

This type of mask is quite loose but is suitable for use, and is often found everywhere. In America alone, the use of this mask has been approved by the America Food and Drug Administration to be used as a health attribute. Years ago, maybe you just saw that this mask was only used by doctors, dentists, and nurses to treat patients. But since the spread of various viruses, such as bird flu, this mask is also more often found in public spaces.

This type of mask is able to prevent droplets of body fluids from the nose or mouth that may contain viruses. In addition, this mask can also protect from splashing and seprotan other people's fluids; like coughing and sneezing. The disadvantage of this mask is the bottom of the mask. You can still breathe a small portion of contaminated air.

2. Respirator

Actually, this mask is very rarely seen to be used in everyday life. This mask is designed to protect the wearer from very small particles in the air that might contain viruses. You might see people wearing this mask when drawing something with piloks. However, make no mistake, health workers also use this type of mask to protect themselves from airborne diseases, such as tuberculosis. Unlike ordinary masks, respirators can protect a person from large and small particles. Uniquely, overall this mask is very effective for preventing flu.

How do you use the correct mask?

If you are in an unhealthy body condition, and must have a room together with a person with flu, make sure you use the mask correctly Masks can really prevent transmission of the virus, if used in a way, and in the right situation. There are a few tips on wearing the right mask, such as: