Do I Need Mask for Swine Flu Protection?
With the latest developments with the
spread of the swine flu in the United States after a fatal epidemic
in Mexico, most of us have so many questions in how to best avoid
contracting the swine flu. We know that though the flu strain in
Mexico has killed numbers of people, and has only been a relatively
safe illness in cases reported in the United States; but still many
of us are unaware of how the swine flu virus will develop here-and
how we should best protect ourselves. One of the most recent trends
associated with the swine flu in this country has been the
widespread purchasing and wearing of face masks to avoid contraction
of the disease. Is this a necessary to stay safe from the disease?
Closer Look on Mask for Flu
Prevention.
 We’ve
all seen pictures and video on the news of people donning these
white doctor’s masks-they resemble those worn by doctors and
dentists. They are made of paper, wrap around the bottom part of the
face and shield the nose and mouth. While any protection while in
public is useful, these masks have shown little effect in preventing
swine flu contraction. Moreover, “according to the CDC, ‘very little
is known about the benefits of wearing face masks and respirators to
help control the spread of pandemic flu’.
This said, should you err on the side
of caution? It’s really up to you. If it makes you feel better, than
do so. A better preventative measure would be to avoid contact with
other people as much as possible and to wash hands often-like you
would do during the standard flu season.
If you do opt to wear a face mask or
respirator to prevent yourself from getting swine flu, the CDC gives
conditions when wearing one is most helpful:
-
If you live or work with someone
who may have contracted the flu-they have flu symptoms.
-
If you yourself have flu symptoms
and have close contact with others-work and family.
-
If you spend a lot of time in
crowded areas.
Recommended Reading:
What is Swine Flu
(Influenza A H1N1)?
Swine Flu
and WHO's Pandemic Scale
Do I Need Mask for
Swine Flu Protection?
Symptoms
of Swine Flu - Fever, Fatigue, Diarrhea and More
Swine Flu
Prevention Tips
How Does
Swine Flu Spread?
What to Do if You
Think You Have Swine Flu
Swine Respiratory Disease -
Swine Flu in Pigs
Swine Flu
in Humans
How Many
Swine Viruses Are There?
The 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic (new)
Swine Flu
Treatment - Tamiflu, Relenza Antiviral (new)
No Swine Flu from Eating Pork,
Safe to Eat
(new)
Cold vs Flu - Major Differences
Between Cold and Flu (new)
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