Can masks protect us from the flu? Which one is more protective?

Can masks protect us from the flu? What advice do scientists have now?Effie

Once again we are plunged into the question of whether mask They may or may not be mandatory in certain places and circumstances.

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But no matter what they say, the important thing is that each of us has Necessary information so we know what to expect We can make the best decisions we can with the facts.

Since it’s not up to each of us whether others use it or not, we must at least know what using it can do for us… even if we’re alone.

Influenza A spreads in Spain: how does it differ from seasonal influenza? Is it more dangerous?

Mask internal and external protection

By now, we know very well that masks work best when everyone around us is wearing one.

The reason is that when an infected person wears a mask, most of the infectious particles they exhale are captured.

Two people wearing masks at the Embajadores Health Center on January 5, 2024, Madrid (Spain).

This means there are fewer virus particles floating around the room, making it easier for our masks to block any escaping viruses.

But protection of others isn’t the only benefit masks give us.

There is also substantial evidence that masks protect the wearer even if others around them are not wearing masks.

We also know now that the percentage of protection depends on the quality of the mask and how well we wear it.

So if we want to be moderately safe, we need FFP2 or FFP3 mask Protect ourselves from any new coronavirus variants, as well as influenza and other respiratory viruses, which have infected more people in January than in August.

Study proves convenience of masks

Faced with the risk of an epidemic, the ideal situation is for everyone to wear a mask indoors. But now, without fear or the threat of legal enforcement, that seems impossible.

Knowledge means a lot when it comes to masks.

First of all, because there is a lot of research that proves that wearing a mask, even for one person, or for several people, is much better than not wearing one at all.

For example, research shows that on airplanes, despite good ventilation systems and high-efficiency air filters (HEPA), there is still a risk of infection through respiratory droplets.

Health authorities will make the use of masks mandatory in health centers across Spain on Wednesday

But wearing a mask can cut that risk in half. Specifically 54%

Expert Guarantee Flying isn’t the most dangerous part of travel, as boarding a plane or even spending time in an airport makes wearing a mask even more necessary.

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Should we continue to use the mask it fell off? Which one do doctors recommend?

Are there any masks that can protect me?

Scientists recommend using the best quality masks High quality is possible when no one around us is wearing a mask We were unable to maintain a safe distance and were not outdoors.

This means using approved FFP2 or FFP3.

Less is better than none, and both surgical and cloth masks can provide some protection.

But since we are talking about health and viruses, it can still make our lives very complicated, both in terms of immediate illness and its consequences (especially in the form of ongoing COVID-19), so it is better not to take any chances.

Can masks protect us from the flu?

There is no doubt, and scientists have confirmed, that wearing a mask protects us from infection Virus A (Influenza A) and B. (Seasonal Flu), which is responsible for most of the flu infections we currently suffer from.

Therefore, they advise anyone with any symptoms respiratory viruses Those affecting us should always wear masks when in contact with others to protect them.

We must not forget that influenza A and B viruses spread through the air in droplets when people cough, sneeze or even talk.

But beyond that, with these viruses, we can also come into contact with the germs through objects, such as touching our phones, computer keyboards… and then bring the virus into our mouth, nose or eyes.

This mask has many important benefits that must be known

It’s not just a matter of chance that we get infected

As academics and professors explain Eduardo Costason the same website:

• “Whether we are infected or not, there will undoubtedly be an element of randomness. Luck is important and we know the likelihood of contracting a respiratory virus is now high.

• But regardless of the odds, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of contagion. ”

A little science can help us successfully overcome this threat.

Science tells us how to avoid contagion

Let’s remember that to be infected, a high enough dose of the virus must get inside us through the nose or mouth.

this is what i know infectious dose. And what we have to do is prevent these viruses from entering.

Because viruses cannot reproduce freely in the environment.

They can only do this within the cells they infect, and the process is as follows:

1. When they penetrate a cell, they control the cell’s molecular machinery, causing the cell to produce more viruses.

2. The infected cells are filled with newly created viruses and eventually explode, releasing the viruses.

3. Many new viruses reach other neighboring cells and start the cycle all over again.

4. Other viruses are shed through an infected person’s mouth or nose.

Once out, they won’t survive long. This can vary from a few hours to a few days, depending on environmental conditions.

During this time, if they manage to enter a person’s body, they can infect that person. But if not, they will eventually be destroyed.

a simple conclusion

Wearing a mask can be uncomfortable. But when deciding whether to use it or not, I have to calculate the costs and benefits of wearing it.

The cost of using an FPP2 mask (purchase price + discomfort of using it) is very small compared to the benefit of not contracting one of the respiratory viruses that threaten us, and if they are crowding hospitals it is because they are or are likely to be infected . Really serious.

So let’s not fool ourselves. The use of FPP2 masks has an excellent cost/benefit ratio.

Worth using.

Little is lost, but much is gained.

If although we want to use it as little as possible, we can always minimize the risk.

Masks will be mandatory in health centres, residences and pharmacies

What variables should we consider

To minimize risk, it is useful to consider that there are 3 variables that can significantly increase the danger in a given location:

• Number of people, density, turnover rate and recklessness. The more, the worse it gets.

• The environmental conditions of the site, particularly the amount of ventilation. The less the worse.

• Time spent in the above places without wearing a mask. The more, the worse it gets.

cost/benefit equation

Logically, we must also consider individual circumstances when estimating the cost/benefit equation for mask use.

For example, you should always use:

• People who have not been vaccinated according to the full schedule

• elderly

• Partially immunosuppressed patients.

Facial masks have more benefits

We must not forget that using masks has many benefits:

• We already know it’s useful in preventing COVID-19.

• It also protects against infection from other airborne viruses, such as the flu virus (as does bacteria).

• avoid allergens

• Block the effects of air pollution caused by particulate matter (such as PM10, PM2.5, etc.). This is no small problem. Because only in this way can we save millions of lives in the world that are lost to this type of pollution every year.

• Although not all good things are easy to understand, Eduardo Costas assures us that the first two ideas we should take away from this article are:

• Evaluate the cost/benefit equation

Here is the necessary information to be able to make appropriate decisions.