Many of us are worried about the H1N1 flu. In fact, there's been a run on surgical masks in some parts of the country. But do those masks really help protect you from the flu? Or should you be using a respirator?
According to the CDC, surgical masks are no guarantee, but they can help reduce the risk of getting influenza.
Here's more about it from a recent article on the subject:
If used correctly, masks and -- more likely -- respirators may indeed reduce the risk of getting influenza, according to information released from the CDC. But for people who live in areas with confirmed cases, there is no single action that will provide complete protection. It simply isn't practical to wear a mask all the time, and they are not 100% foolproof.Face masks and respirators are most useful for people who are in crowded settings, such as classrooms or airplanes, where they will protect the mouth and nose from germs and reduce the likelihood of coughing or sneezing on other people.
You can read more here.
Leave a comment