Importance of Mask and Hand Hygiene in the Prevention of Seasonal Influenza

Introduction

Flu is a common respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, which can occasionally spread to the lungs in addition to the nose and throat. It can lead to mild to severe disease and, occasionally, even death. Serious flu complications are more likely to affect some people, including those 65 years of age and older, children, and those with specific medical disorders.

The two main groups of influenza (flu) viruses are types A and B. Every year, seasonal flu outbreaks are brought on by the influenza A and B viruses (also known as human influenza viruses). An excellent means to lower the chance of contracting the flu and any potential significant effects is to get vaccinated annually.

Little is known regarding the relationships between hand-washing and good hygiene practices and seasonal influenza infection, despite previous observational studies reporting the protective effects of hand-washing in lowering upper respiratory infections. Putting on a mask can help shield individuals from the human influenza A and B viruses, which are responsible for most seasonal flu outbreaks (influenza). However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) generally advises that masks should only be worn by medical personnel who have frequent contact with flu patients. The best method to avoid getting the flu is to take precautions like getting vaccinated, routinely hand-washing, and avoiding close contact with sick people.

How Effective Is a Mask in Preventing the Flu and Other Viruses?

For a very long time, experts were not sure if wearing a mask stopped the transmission of viruses. But according to current research, they might be helpful. According to a 2013 study by a source, masks could help people protect against seasonal flu in preventing the virus from spreading when they exhale droplets of it. The number of viruses expelled into the air was, on average, found to be decreased by more than three times when wearing masks.

According to a different study source, "vaccination and wearing a mask lowered the probability of contracting seasonal influenza." This study examined data from hundreds of Japanese children.

Crucially, researchers discovered that using masks in conjunction with good hand cleanliness resulted in lower flu rates. In other words, frequent handwashing is still a crucial technique in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

What Are the Different Types of Masks and Their Efficacy?

The following is the CDC's (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) ranking for effective face masks:

• N95s and other respirators endorsed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health provide the highest level of protection.

• Excellent Defense: KN95s.

• Excellent Protection: A properly fitting disposable surgical mask.

• Good Protection: Products made with layers of delicate weaving.

• Least Protective: Products made of loosely woven cloth.

1. Cloth Mask: Cloth masks come in a wide range of styles and can be constructed from a variety of materials. Use cloth masks that are:

• A good fit across the lips, chin, and nose to stop leaks.

• Many layers of densely woven, permeable material.

• Nasal wire.

• When exposed to a bright light source, the fabric should block the light.

Avoid wearing cotton masks, which are having:

• Gaps around the nose or the sides of the face.

• Valves for exhalation, vents, or other openings.

• Single-layer fabrics or those composed of light-blocking thin fabrics.

• Dirty or wet material.

2. Surgical Mask or Procedure Mask: Surgical face masks are disposable, loose-fitting masks that can be used as medical equipment, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These are frequently worn by nurses, doctors, and dentists when treating patients.

These masks stop large fluid droplets from escaping through the mouth or nose, which could lead to the spread of viruses or other diseases. They shield wearers from other people's splashes and sprays, such as those caused by sneezes and coughs. There are many disposable processing masks available. These are also known as surgical masks or masks for medical procedures. Surgical masks that have the following features should be used:

• The right amount of coverage across the lips, chin, and nose to stop leaks.

• Many non-woven fabric layers.

• A wired nose.

Never wear a surgical mask that has:

• Gaps around the nose or the sides of the face.

• Soiled or wet material.

3. Respirators: Respirators, commonly known as N95 masks, are made to shield the user from airborne contaminants like viruses. The CDC and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have certified them. According to the CDC, the term results from their ability to filter out 95 percent of airborne pollutants. While painting or handling potentially harmful products, N95 masks are frequently utilized.

The respirators chosen should fit the face. In order to prevent airborne viral entry, they must perfectly seal the area. They are used by healthcare professionals to guard against airborne infectious diseases, including anthrax and tuberculosis. Respirators protect from both large and small particles, unlike ordinary face masks. In general, respirators are far more effective than conventional face masks in preventing the flu virus. Face masks can help prevent transmission of respiratory viruses such as the flu, but only when worn appropriately and frequently.

What Are the Different Methods to Enhance the Protection Using Masks?

With cloth and disposable masks, there are several ways to improve fit and add protection:

• Wear two masks (a disposable mask underneath and a cloth mask over it).

• Mix a fitting or brace with a cloth or disposable mask.

• For a three-ply mask, tie a knot and tuck the ear loops into the edge of the mask.

• Employ masks that are tied or secured with elastic behind the head and neck (instead of ear loops).

What Are the Guidelines to Be Followed When Wearing a Mask?

Here are some recommendations for appropriate mask usage:

• When approaching a sick person within 6 feet, wear a face mask.

• Place the threads so that the mask is tightly covering the chin, lips, and nose. Until the mask is off, try not to touch it again.

• If one has the flu, put on a face mask before approaching other people.

• Use a face mask to safeguard other people in the waiting area if there is a need to see a doctor when having the flu.

• If the flu is going around the neighborhood or one is at a high risk of flu-related complications, then one might want to wear a mask while visiting crowded places.

• Throw away the surgical face mask or respirator after finishing using it, then wash the hands. Never use it again.

• After each use, wash the cotton face mask.

• The usual masks that might be purchased from the neighborhood drugstore are inadequate to filter out germs.

• Experts advise using special masks with thin mesh that can trap very minute organisms for this purpose. For these to function, they must also be worn properly.

• Moreover, face-covering masks cannot stop one from sneezing or coughing airborne virus particles into the eyes.

How Should One Wash Hands to Avoid the Flu and Colds?

The CDC advises hand washing for at least 20 seconds at a time to avoid the spread of infectious diseases such as the cold and flu. Making sure to lather and scrub not only the palms but also the backs of the hands, the spaces in between the fingers, and the area under the nails. Use a lot of soap.

Instead of soap or water temperature, it was discovered that the two most important parameters for good hand-washing were soap usage and washing time. There are two ways that soap cleans the hands.

• First, some bacteria and viruses can be destroyed by rupturing their lipid (or fat) membranes (including those responsible for COVID-19, hepatitis B and C, Ebola, Zika, and more). When this membrane is ruptured, the pathogens are rendered inactive, unable to multiply, and accessible for washing away.

• The second method involves breaking the chemical bonds that hold the germs to the skin's surface, allowing people to flush them down the drain as they rinse. Also, since one wants to trap and flush as many germs as one can, the length of time spent lathering and rinsing counts. Any bacteria, not simply those having a lipid layer, can be effectively treated with this technique.

Does Hand Sanitizer Kill the Flu Virus Effectively?

According to experts, frequent hands washing is the best way to get rid of germs that could spread the cold or flu. But people do not always have access to a sink. When that happens, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are beneficial since they can serve as a suitable alternative to hand washing in the absence of soap and water.

The CDC claims that sanitizers that have an alcohol concentration of between 60 percent and 95 percent are more effective at eradicating germs than those that have a lower alcohol content or are not alcohol-based. However, CDC also adds that their effectiveness depends on how they are used. Similar to sunscreen, if one is not using the appropriate amount, periodically rubbing some on will not be enough to protect oneself from the flu.

The proper technique for using hand sanitizer is to dab some on the palm of one hand and then rub both hands together until they are completely dry. Even though alcohol-based hand sanitizers can kill a variety of bacteria when used properly, they are ineffective if one uses too little, wipes it off before it dries, or neglects important areas like the fingertips and the spaces in between the fingers.

According to the CDC, hand sanitizers are less effective than soap and water at eradicating or inactivating specific types of germs, such as Norovirus, which is the most prevalent cause of gastroenteritis (often referred to as stomach flu).

How Often Throughout the Flu Season Should One Wash Their Hands?

Instead of washing a certain number of times every day, it is essential to wash whenever people believe they have been exposed to an increased danger of contamination.

Nonetheless, there are situations when regular hand washing is very important. Always wash one’s hands:

• Before and after handling or preparing food.

• Before a meal.

• After a diaper change.

• After using the restroom.

• Following a cough, sneeze, or nose blow.

• Following contact with an animal or animal feces.

• After handling trash.

• Before and after a wound has been treated.

• After and before caring for a sick person.

What Are the Guidelines to Be Followed While Washing Hands?

It is beneficial to go above and beyond the recommended steps when hand-washing to prevent the spread of colds and the flu. Take into account these suggestions:

• Be Thorough: The lower palms, the spaces in between the fingers, and the nail bed are areas that people sometimes overlook. The backs of the hands up to the wrists are another. Do not scrub the hands so vigorously, though, that they get dry and cracked. Set a pump-top container of hand lotion beside the sink and apply lotion after washing if users discover that often washing their hands is causing their hands to become red, dry, or irritated.

• To Dry, Use a Paper Towel: According to studies, paper towels are more hygienically superior to electric hand dryers in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. One may be getting rid of some germs that escaped hand washing by using a paper towel to rub the hands instead of air drying them or using a hand dryer. When drying the hands with cloth towels, replace them frequently for laundry.

• To Avoid Reinfection, Grab Another Towel: After all that work, avoid reinfecting thehands by touching anything like the faucet, countertop, or door handle while leaving the restroom. Open the door and turn off the water using a paper towel; then, discard the paper towel in the nearest trash bin. Do not place the phone on the sink in a public restroom while washing hands. No matter how carefully and well visitors wash their hands, it could cause them to pick up germs that then end up on their phones and back on their hands again.

• Regularly Disinfect Surfaces With a Lot of Touches: Identify the things and places that people often touch, and be sure to regularly clean them down with antibacterial wipes or an antibacterial spray and paper towels. Make sure to frequently disinfect high-touch objects and spaces in the house, like light switches, doorknobs and handles, countertops, phones, remote controls, buttons, and doorbells, to name a few: as well as the kitchen and bathroom. To learn the distinctions between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, read the instructions on cleaning supplies.

Conclusion

The findings imply that when adopted early and used conscientiously, NPI (non - pharmaceutical intervention), like facemasks and enhanced hand cleanliness, can limit the spread of influenza within the home. Questions about the therapies' acceptability and tolerability should not be used as justification for not recommending them.