Thursday, January 6, 2011

Are you wearing a surgical mask?


Before the attack of the 2009 Influenza, Japanese people and many others used to wear a mask when they are sick. This is a safety measure to prevent cold, flu, allergy and other respiratory diseases. In Thailand, it is still not too late to start adopting such custom. Wearing a mask therefore should not embarrass you. Infact, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated information about the efficacy and use of respirators and facemasks (surgical masks) to prevent the Novel H1N1 virus transmission. Surgical masks are designed to keep the respiratory droplets of the wearer contained (like covering your mouth with a tissue does) when coughing or sneezing.

Another potential advantage of surgical masks is they may help you to remember not to touch your face with your hands. A mask could help you remember that precaution when you may be "acting on automatic " when out in public.
Therefore wearing a surgical mask is a must to all doctors especially in having contact with the patients to avoid transmission of disease. And the best prevention is good hygiene and hand washing. If unable to wash hands thoroughly and briskly for a minimum of 20-30 seconds with warm water and soap, use a waterless hand sanitizer that is a minimum of 60% alcohol.
According to the health professionals, to avoid transferring bacteria from their mouths to patients, usually wear a surgical mask, during surgery, or when visiting vulnerable patients. The surgical mask may also protect against blood splatters from a patient during surgeries. It is usually made of paper or synthetic materials suitable for one-time use only.

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