Swine Flu Mask: Does It Really Help?

• Surgical face masks are loose fitting and designed to keep small droplets from spreading.
• N95 respirators are more closely fitting and are designed to keep small particles out with a filtering device.
• Those in high risk situations, such as those exposed to people with swine flu symptoms and those possibly near a flu outbreak area should consider wearing either or both.
• A swine flu vaccine shortage has caused a surge in demand for surgical masks.

If you ever walked down the streets of Tokyo, an American would be surprised at the number of people casually wearing surgical facemasks. Not only is it common place, but the government has people standing on the corners passing out free facemasks to general passersby.

Unlike the Japanese culture, Americans are not used to wearing surgical masks, or the swine flu mask, as they are now more commonly known, in public. The recent (H1N1) swine flu outbreak brought fear-of-the-flu to such a level that we broke that barrier. Not only were face masks being worn in the U.S. and Mexico, but they were ‘decorated’ with imaginative designs by the wearers! This differentiates in not only culture but the way Americans are accepting the swine flu mask.

As swine flu symptoms have been on the rise, demand for the swine flu mask was so high, that normal suppliers quickly ran out. Medical institutions from pharmacies to hospitals were having trouble getting inventory replenished. As in any supply-and-demand situation, this is not uncommon. The government is quickly making arrangements as there has even been a shortage in the swine flu vaccine.

To address the question that is on everyone’s mind: How effective are the swine flu face masks in protecting you against the flu outbreak?

Surgical facemasks are designed to help small droplets from spreading and are usually somewhat loose fitting. Respirators are identified as ‘N95’, and are designed to keep small particles from spreading. According to the Los Angeles Times report – the CDC has indicated that, if used properly, a respirator is more likely to reduce the spread of the flu. Respirators fit more snuggly to the face so that more air is breathed through the filtering material.

People who live in ‘close contact’ to an infected individual should take the extra precaution and use a respirator. (Close contact defined as three feet or less by the World Health Organization and six feet or less by U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

According to the CDC, high risk individuals should either wear a swine flu mask and/or an N95 respirator, depending upon their exposure circumstances. “High Risk” is defined as:

*Children younger than 5 years old, Persons aged 65 years or older.

*Children and adolescents (younger than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection.

*Pregnant women.

*Adults and children who have asthma, chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

*Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV); Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

In finality, a close fitting surgical facemask may be a good prevention in an environment that doesn’t involve close contact or if one is not in a large crowd. An N95 respirator is recommended for those that are high risk or if one is in crowded exposures. The respirator seems to get higher recommendations if it is ‘fitted’ for the person who will be wearing it.

There is no single factor that will supply 100% protection as it simply isn’t practical to wear either all the time. If you are concerned you should speak to your medical provider regarding the swine flu vaccine as well as additional medical treatment for swine flu symptoms.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.