Can medical masks prevent corona virus?

Can wearing a mask on the move prevent the risk of corona virus disease? Experts have answered this question.

The outbreak of corona virus from Wuhan, China in October has now spread to many countries around the world. Corona virus or "2019-nCoV", the same virus that causes pandemic SARS and MERS, has claimed the lives of at least 80 people and 2,744 cases, according to official Chinese state media. at 9.30 am on 27.1.

Transportation has ceased operations in Wuhan, China and nearby cities. Five major US airports have begun mandatory heat measurement for passengers on non-stop flights or flying from Wuhan to including John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, Los Angeles International Airport. , San Francisco International, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta and Chicago OedomHare International Airport.

With the outbreak of the disease, images from around the world show people everywhere wearing masks to prevent disease when traveling. However, wearing a mask is not a measure recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent infection with healthy travelers, said Dr. John Smith, South Carolina Medical University comments in the article on ABC News.

There is little benefit from wearing a medical mask and could even put you at greater risk of infection, doctors on infectious diseases share with ABC News.

" There is not much data to confirm whether there is any benefit from wearing a mask in public. It is not yet clear," said Dr. Jonathan Grein, director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars Medical Center. - Sinai in Los Angeles said.

He said masks were used by doctors and nurses in direct contact with patients. " We use medical masks in medical care settings for two main reasons: To block secretions from people with respiratory infections and to protect health care workers who provide direct care to patients. " - American doctor added.

When a patient begins to develop symptoms, a medical mask has a certain effect on the spread of germs. Facemasks not only help to be polite, but also help limit dangerous outbreaks.

Dr Henry Wu, assistant professor of infectious diseases at Emory Medical University and former medical epidemiologist at CDC, said: " Many respiratory viruses spread through large sneezes are filtered by a mask. If someone has a cold or flu or other viral respiratory infection, wearing a simple mask will reduce the risk of that person getting sick . "

He noted that health care professionals and those in direct contact with patients should wear N95 medical masks (made up of layers of cloth and paper with a distance of a few microns from the fabric eyes, there are Preventing the invasion of bacteria). This type of respirator is rated higher in protection. Industrial respirators (for example, masks used in construction) or other types of respirators not designed for health care or infection control purposes. However, N95 epidemic health masks are only recommended for health care workers, who have been appropriately tested and trained in their use.

" With an N95 respirator, if you wear them properly, breathing is difficult and should not be worn for long periods, " said Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt School of Medicine. .

However, what if passengers traveling by train or plane want to prevent infection during the flu season, during the cold season, or during an outbreak like corona virus? " A mask is not recommended for general protection if you are not ill, " said Dr. Wu. There may even be a risk of wearing a mask for prevention.

" The mask itself can be contaminated and the source of infection actually brings more harm than good. If I wear a mask, I am careful to touch it," Dr. Grein added. Instead, he recommends "avoid moving if you get sick, sneeze or cough into your sleeve, not your hands, and always wash your hands often." The flu shot is also important, he added.

CDC recommends following current guidelines for safe travel during the corona virus epidemic including:

• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and animal products (such as meat).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Older tourists and people with underlying health problems may be at greater risk of serious illness and should discuss going to Wuhan with their healthcare provider.
• Health care workers in hospitals taking care of sick patients should use precautions when contacting and wearing a N95 disposable mask.

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