Masks and Respirators (Respiratory type of PPE)

Hello :)

Have you ever seen people wearing those mask like thing during certain infections?

I used to consider it some kind of fashion or trend. But now I got to know what those masks are for?

Those are the RESPIRATORY types of the PPE (Personal protective equipment).

RESPIRATORS:-

It protect against multiple airborne contaminants. 

These are different from surgical masks.

INDICATION:-

It is used in emergencies like influenza epidemic. Here you need protection from air-borne transmissible diseases.

AIR-BORNE TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASES:-

-TB

-Pandemic Flu outbreak

-Avian Flu

-SARS

-Small pox

TYPES OF RESPIRATORS SELECTED:-

-N95 (means the respirator blocks at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) test particles.)

-High efficiency particulate air (HEPA)

-Powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs)

N95 limitation:-

-they leak 

-Risk reduced but not eliminated

-facial hair compromises seal

-Don't work for Oxygen deficient conditions

-Breathing resistance increases overtime.

SURGICAL MASKS:-

The surgical masks are the main barriers to protect the patient against possible infection or contamination of exhaled organism by medical personnel, and in turn are barrier to surgical personnel against possible splashing fluids.

For more details, Click the link below :

https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/GeneralHospitalDevicesandSupplies/PersonalProtectiveEquipment/ucm055977.htm

It is important for prevention of the community. 

Although the main reason for sudden spread and increased mortality are:-

-Delay in reporting to health care centre 

-Further delay in diagnosing the disease and referral services.

 Studies have been done to compare the effectiveness of surgical masks and respirators during Respiratory infection emergency.

1. AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868605/
2. AMONG THE PATIENTS  
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23505369/

That's all for today.

:D

-Upasana Y.  :)