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Swine Flu and Face Masks

There are many stories at present on swine influenza and how face masks might be used to prevent infection. This article seeks to clarify misconceptions on face masks.

Facemasks are also recommended for health care workers to reduce their risk of contracting infection from patients where there is a risk of droplet transmission.

It is generally accepted that there are some circumstances where wearing a facemask may be beneficial:

• reducing the risk of passing on infection - people with flu wearing a facemask when they are in contact with other people; or 
• reducing the risk of getting an infection; healthy people wearing a facemask when they are caring for a patient with flu.

The wearing of facemasks by healthy individuals who are not involved in caring for people who are ill (i.e. the general public) is not recommended by the HPA.  However, it is recognised that some people may choose to do so. The available scientific evidence does not suggest that this is an effective preventative measure. In addition, there are a range of practical issues that may need to be considered:

• Wearing a face mask might discourage people from carrying out good hand hygiene ie frequent hand washing with soap and water.  We know that good hand hygiene can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses like flu.
• People might wear a facemask to conceal respiratory symptoms rather than stay at home.
• It will be difficult to provide general advice on how to wear masks and, if they are not worn properly they may not provide any protection.
• Facemasks must be disposed of properly if they are not to pose a risk to other people. 
• Failing to wash hands after taking off a facemask might increase the risk of self-contamination.
• Reusing a face mask will render it ineffective and may also increase the risk of self-contamination.
• People who have to buy masks are less likely to change them regularly.
• Contact with infectious persons in public areas would be random and unpredictable and masks might be worn for prolonged periods.
• The quality of the mask may be unpredictable.

To help prevent getting flu, the HPA recommends:

• Staying at home if you have symptoms of the flu.
• Covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible. 
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully. 
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people. 
• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product. 

Created: May 1, 2009, 2:14 pm

Last updated: May 6, 2009, 8:33 am