Why To Use Respiratory Protective Masks In Epidemic Diseases?

 

Epidemics have emerged in many periods in history and threatened the world. Generally, diseases that first appeared in one place spread around the world through trade routes and started epidemics. These epidemics have caused serious casualties in the past. Today, although precautions and protection methods have been developed thanks to new technologies, outbreaks can still survive. The most effective measure in international epidemics is to stop travel and to close trade routes.

Measures also vary according to the way diseases are transmitted from person to person, from animal to person or from object to person. The common feature of most epidemics is that they are transmitted from person to person by respiratory track. The fastest spreading epidemics are caused by disease transmitted through the respiratory track as well. Here, respiratory protective masks have arisen due to this need. There are different types of masks according to their level of protection.

Surgical Masks

Masks used as respirator protection have come up in many different ways from past to present. Undergoing constant changes in line with the needs, it has reached the appearance of today’s surgical mask. These types of masks are mostly preferred by healthcare professionals in hospitals because they interact with patients. Apart from that, it can be used by individuals for respiratory protection purposes. There are 3 different types:

• Single layer elastic face mask
• Double layer elastic face mask
• There layer elastic face mask.

There are several purposes of using surgical masks. The first is not to scatter harmful organisms that causes disease. The second is to be protected from harmful pathogens in the environment. The third is to protect patients from body fluids and particles in the mouth and nose.

The masks are designed to cover the mouth and nose. The mask prevents the weaver from mixing with the ambient air by holding the particles coming out of the mouth and nose. For this reason, healthcare professionals wear masks to protect patients. Especially those with compromised immune system. Particles emitted by healthy people can cause infection or disease in the body of people with weakened immunity.

What Are the Ways to Protect from Epidemics?

• Get vaccinated regularly every year to strengthen the immune system.
• To prevent body resistance from decreasing, eat a balanced diet and consume enough water.
• Do not eat undercooked meat dishes and vegetable foods that are not washed well.
• Rinse your throat with lukewarm water several times a day and clean your nose.
• To stay durable, pay attention to sleep patterns.
• Take care of hand and body hygiene. Wash your hands with soap, especially several times a day.
• If you come into contact with surfaces in common areas, do not touch your face, eyes, mouth and nose.
• Dress appropriately for the season, stay away from very cold and very hot environments.
• Do not go where you think there is a risk of disease. If you have to go to these places, wear a breathing mask.
• If you think you are sick, use a respiratory protective mask to avoid infecting others.
• Do not approach people who you think are sick more than 1 meter.
• Take advantage of the sun for the body's vitamin D requirement.
• If you are wearing a breathing mask, make sure it covers your mouth and nose.

When to dispose mask?

Masks are divided into two as “one-time” or “long-term” according to their duration of use. Those produced from materials such as paper or cloth are used only once. These partially filter the ambient air. The masks used in biological events, made of hard plastic with the outer part and covering the whole face, have the ability to completely the ambient air. Theses masks can be used not one time, but many times.

Surgical masks that you can get from any face mask importer do not allow droplets to pass and retain moisture. It should be replaced with a new one as its function deteriorates when moist. Masks in FFP or N standards have effective usage times that vary depending on the brand model. These time durations must be observed for effective filtering and protection. These types of masks are not suitable for long-term use and should be replaced at most once a day. In addition, it cannot be washed and reused.

Symbols on masks

There are symbols, such as V, NR and D on the masks. The V symbol indicates that the mask in vented. The valve allows the air accumulated in the mask to be expelled. Thus, the temperature in the mask decreases and the person can breathe more easily. NR sign indicates that the masks is for single use. The D mark indicates that the mask provides adequate protection against dolomite dust.