N95 mask for flu,coronavirus and other viruses

Published 9:12 am Friday, February 28, 2020

Hi Dr. Kim,

I have heard that to be protected from the flu and other viruses you need a mask that filters virus particles. Is there a such thing? Which mask should I use? I work in healthcare and am around sick people all day. — Tim from Johnson City

Dear Tim,

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Thanks for your question. It is true that wearing a mask when you are around people with contagious illnesses offers some degree of protection. The problem is, most people use the mask the wrong way. Actually, it is the contagious person who should wear the mask to avoid spreading the germs, rather than uninfected people wearing the masks to not catch them. For whatever reason, the general public has not received this message and only cautious people are using the masks. So let’s make sure you are using the best mask practices possible. In 2019, a study came out from UT Southwestern Medical Center and the CDC. They found that surgical masks seem to be just about as effective as a respirator, which is why I say that the surgical mask or any mask is better than nothing. Wear them in crowded, public places or when you are near a potentially infected person.

I have heard that there are some debates about whether the masks “work.” Unless you are wearing a respirator along with a HAZMAT suit, or quarantine yourself, there is no way to be completely impervious to germs such as the flu virus and other viruses. However, research is promising that even a simple surgical mask blocks viral particles. How do they do this? The material of the mask allows free air flow, but all the air must pass through a screen. The screen blocks all kinds of particles (including smoke and dust). The screen also blocks tiny particles that carry viruses. This greatly reduces the number of viral particles that enter the nose and mouth, and protects the respiratory system.

What people forget about flu and other infections is that it is airborne. You can clean and sanitize surfaces and your hands all you want, and this will reduce the possibility of picking up the virus from a surface, but at the end of the day, the way it spreads is through the air from person to person. If an infected person coughs or sneezes in close proximity, the viral particles are in the air. Airborne viruses spread by breathing the same air. If you don’t have a mask on, the only layer of protection is your immune system. For people with a compromised immune system, it is a big risk.

Compromised immune people are those who are taking certain medications or undergoing chemotherapy, people with autoimmune diseases, people fighting off another illness, healing from injury, and people who are exhausted or under a lot of stress.

In our modern society it is usually not allowed for sick people to miss a week of school or work. This is an unfortunate situation, because contagious illnesses are contagious for a long time. The flu starts to be contagious the day before symptoms arrive. It is contagious for between 7 to 14 days. I think people who have had the flu should try to stay home for these two weeks. When they are certainly well they should replace their toothbrush, wash bed sheets and clothing in hot water, and disinfect any surfaces touched. Since its not feasible for most people to avoid spreading communicable diseases by staying home, relying on the mask and boosting our immune systems is the most practical option.

The best masks to have are numbered with a code: N95 – N100. Any mask numbered between these should be efficient at filtering viral particles. There are many brands that contain activated charcoal filters. These not only block viral particles but also clean the air in general and can even filter smells and smoke. Medical antiviral face masks also work for this purpose. Masks can be obtained from places like Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot. Any household or respirator mask labeled N95 or N100 filters the tiny particles.

I hope this helps! Remember to avoid crowds when you can, especially during flu season. Keep up your regular health and hygiene practices and do not get discouraged.

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Dr. Kimberly McMurtrey DNP, APRN, FNP-C is the Primary Provider at Tri-Cities Health, located on West Elk Ave., Elizabethton. If you would like to submit a question for her to answer you can call 423-543-7000 or email your questions to tricitieshealth@outlook.com.

**Medical Disclaimer: The information contained in this column is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.