Coronavirus mask: is it effective, reusable?

(Up to date on Thursday February 24, 2020 at 9:43 am) To guard your self from coronavirus – cousin of the SARS virus – which appeared in China on the finish of December 2019, individuals put on respiratory safety masks. An individual suspected of exhibiting signs of respiratory an infection or recognized to be unwell could put on a surgical masks to keep away from spreading their virus and defend these round them at house or different individuals in public locations. To restrict the unfold of the coronavirus, France purchases tens of tens of millions of FFP2 protecting masks. These are fashions with a really excessive stage of filtration, usually utilized by healthcare professionals corresponding to surgeons in shut contact with sufferers.

The anti-virus masks, for medical use, known as “surgical masks” in frequent parlance, is a medical gadget meant for filter micro organism and to keep away from getting a virus like that of influenza or another viral illness. “To be efficient, the masks have to be conforms to French and European customary “NF EN 14683“. These masks are usually worn within the working room to first forestall micro organism from the surgeon's mouth from being projected onto the affected person's surgical wound, however may also be worn by most of the people to guard themselves from microorganisms in a context of an epidemic, just like the flu for instance“, says Dr Pierre Parneix, medical officer of well being and hospital practitioner in Public Well being on the Bordeaux College Hospital and head of the Assist Middle for the prevention of infections related to healthcare (CPIAS) in New Aquitaine.

An individual suspected of exhibiting signs of respiratory an infection or recognized to be unwell could put on a surgical masks to keep away from spreading their virus and defend these round them at house or different individuals in public locations. “What is thought thus far about coronavirus is that the mode of transmission is far the identical as that of influenza, that’s to say that it’s transmitted from human to human throughout shut contacts (touching or shaking palms for instance) and by airway in coughing or in sneezing (saliva droplets, postillions). Well being authorities due to this fact advocate that anybody suspected of being contaminated with coronavirus put on a masks when involved with different individuals to keep away from the danger of contamination.“, specifies the medical officer of well being.

“Within the case of the coronavirus which is hardly current in France, that doesn’t actually have any curiosity.”

The masks may also be used within the context of prevention of publicity to the virus. He has a “barrier impact” which can forestall the passage of bacterial and viral particles. “Please observe, carrying a masks for prevention solely is sensible throughout an epidemic really current within the nation. Within the case of the coronavirus which is hardly current in France, that doesn’t actually curiosity, insists the medical officer of well being. However, within the occasion of signs suggestive of the coronavirus (fever, persistent cough, problem in respiratory …), it’s higher name 15, particularly if the particular person has stayed in a rustic affected by the epidemic.”

“Sporting a masks isn’t a cultural observe in France. As an alternative of thanking individuals who put on masks as a result of they defend us from their viruses, we have a tendency to guage them as “harmful”. It’s a look that should actually change! Sporting a masks, particularly in case of flu, is an excellent reflex“, signifies our interlocutor.

There are a number of forms of masks which have variable filtration ranges. “To outline the extent of filtration, a take a look at is carried out with an aerosol containing strains of staphylococcus aureus“, explains Dr. Parneix:

• The kind I medical masks filters 95% of micro organism.
• The kind II medical masks filters over 98% of micro organism. A distinction is made between regular kind 2 masks and people of kind R that are extra waterproof and immune to projections. However these are fairly used within the working room, much less for most of the people.
• The respiratory safety masks (shell masks or FFP2 or FFP3 masks) is a security masks with a really excessive stage of filtration which is utilized in healthcare settings for infectious brokers corresponding to tuberculosis for instance. This masks, which to be efficient will need to have a form tailored to the face of the particular person carrying it, now not filters solely micro organism, but in addition aerosols. It’s reserved for well being professionals or sure professions and isn’t meant for most of the people for microbiological use.

Most people ought to use the kind II medical masks with customary NF EN 14683.

Anti-virus masks isn’t efficient that whether it is effectively worn. Dr. Parneix's recommendation:

• Put on the masks the correct means spherical. Basically, the coloured facet ought to be in the direction of the surface and never towards the mouth.
• The padded facet of the nostril strip ought to be positioned over the hump of the nostril to correctly defend the nostril.
• Desire masks with elastic ties fairly than straps: the masks will likely be simpler to placed on.
• The masks have to be effectively enveloping and move beneath the chin to guard the mouth and the nostril.

The anti-virus masks has a lifespan of three hours.

The anti-virus masks has a three hour lifespan. “Past that, you need to throw it within the trash. The masks is for single use and in no case washable. After every outing, as quickly as you come house, don’t deal with it and throw it away as a result of it’s doubtlessly contaminated“, warns Dr. Parneix.

Higher to purchase a surgical masks in a drugstore or pharmacy for 2 causes: to have the assure that the masks conforms effectively to straightforward NF EN 14683 and to have the ability to profit from the recommendation of the pharmacist, specifically on the carrying of the masks. “Keep away from getting surgical masks on the Web with out the NF EN 14683 point out as a result of you’ll be able to by no means be certain of their effectiveness“, concludes the skilled.

As China produces nearly 50% of protecting tools, together with masks and gloves, Europe fears a scarcity. “The extent of shares within the EU was presently being assessed“, stated well being commissioner Stella Kyriakides. And added that”Fee is “able to launch a process for group buying. Now we have already been involved with firms within the EU to see if they will present extra“protecting tools.

Because of Dr Pierre Parneix, medical officer of well being and hospital practitioner in Public Well being on the Bordeaux College Hospital and chargeable for the Assist Middle for the prevention of infections related to healthcare (CPIAS) in New Aquitaine.