Primary function and usage of face masks
Primarily, the use of the surgical mask is by health care professionals during surgery and when providing or carrying out some medical procedures.
It is usually worn by these healthcare professional to prevent any droppings from their mouth from contaminating surgical wounds thus protecting the patient.
It was designed to prevent infectious agents which can be virus, fungi, bacteria and other pathogens (micro rganisms with ability of causing diseases) from infecting the wearer.
Surgical mask were never designed to be used for a very long time, it has health implications.
Due to increased concern about infectious diseases most especially those that are transmitted through respiratory droppings, the usage of this PPE has shifted from medical personnels to non medical personnels, all in a bit to prevent the wearer from diseases.
There need to be a shift usage of surgical mask back to health workers and professionals.
Using surgical mask is not a problem but the main concern is how much do you know about this PPE and its correct usage.
Most times I see some persons with a very dirty and worn out face mask. Some are even ignorant of how this PPE is correctly used.
What if I tell you that the nose mask, be it the one made locally or foreign made can as well be a source of infection to you if not properly used or handled.
There are very important steps and procedures for the usage and disposal of the nose mask you need to know and remember always.
The face mask is one of the basic personal protective equipment that can prevent the wearer from infectious agents and as well prevent the wearer from infecting other persons.
Read the last statement again and think deeply; it protects you and as well as prevents you from infecting others.
What this statement means is that the nose mask has dual function when making reference to protection. So how then do we wear it?
First you need to understand the various parts and components of the nose masks. Knowing this, gives you a proper understanding of its usage.
We will begin with the describing this parts and their functions before delving into the proper usage of the nose mask.
The clear difference between surgical mask and N- respirators
It is very important I let you know that, the surgical mask is not the same as N respirators - a device designed to prevent the wearer from inhaling airborne diseases and viruses.
The major striking difference between surgical mask and respirators is that, respirators offer higher air resistance than surgical mask and this consequently means higher protection.
The surgical mask is mainly designed to prevent the wearer from being splashed with liquid that come from respiratory droppings or through the nasopharynx as they could contains viruses and bacteria from infected person and it also prevents the wearer from transmitting respiratory bodily fluids or secretions to others when they cough or sneeze.
Though the surgical mask are less effective when compared to respirators because the respirators are far more protective when it concerns patients with severe cases of infectious viral diseases.
You hardly see a health professionals wearing surgical mask when attending to patients with Corona virus, rather they wear respirators.
Due to the increased air resistance, there could be a tendency of build up of air pressure hence this is why some respirators e.g the N-95 come with exhalation valve which helps and makes breathing easier for the wearer and also helps to reduce the condensation build-up inside the mask.
Under normal circumstances, face mask worn by the healthcare provider ensures that the healthcare provider does not contaminate an open wound with salivary secretions from the mouth while talking. It also keeps the hands and fingers from contaminating the nose and mouth.
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