Do face masks help prevent swine flu infection?
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sciw-swine-masks28-2009apr28,0,4722242.story
By Shari Roan
April 28, 2009
Don't count on those disposable masks to completely protect you against the swine flu percolating around the globe.
Many people in Mexico City, as well as travelers to and from Los Angeles, have been seen wearing mouth and nose protection of one type or another in recent days.
Swine flu: complete coverageMost were wearing face masks, which are loose-fitting and designed largely to help stop droplets from spreading from the person wearing the mask. They also protect the wearer's mouth and nose from splashes. They are not created to protect the wearer from breathing in very small particles.
Respirators, on the other hand, are made for just that. They are similar in appearance to the relatively inexpensive face masks but are designed specifically to protect the wearer from breathing in such particles. These masks, known as N95 for its filtering ability, fit more snugly on the face than face masks so that most air is breathed through the filter material. They work best if they are fitted specifically to the person wearing the mask.
A respirator that fits snugly on the face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a face mask. But it's easier to breathe through a face mask than a respirator over a long period of time, said experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Federal health officials said Monday that they, quite frankly, didn't know how helpful either type of devices are in preventing swine flu infection.
If used correctly, masks and -- more likely -- respirators may indeed reduce the risk of getting influenza, according to information released from the CDC. But for people who live in areas with confirmed cases, there is no single action that will provide complete protection. It simply isn't practical to wear a mask all the time, and they are not 100% foolproof.
Face masks and respirators are most useful for people who are in crowded settings, such as classrooms or airplanes, where they will protect the mouth and nose from germs and reduce the likelihood of coughing or sneezing on other people.
Face masks and respirators are sometimes recommended for people who are in close contact with an infected person. "Close contact" is defined as three feet or less by the World Health Organization and six feet or less by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Face masks and respirators should be worn once, according to the World Health Organization. (Look for face masks labeled for surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation or laser use.)
Health experts note that face masks and respirators should be used along with other precautions, such as frequent hand-washing, covering coughs, staying at home if ill and avoiding crowds.
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AmeriCares Sends Medical Aid to Mexico for Swine Flu Outbreak
April 29, 2009
http://www.americares.org/newsroom/news/swine-flu-mexico-city-outbreak-epidemic.html
Infection control masks, like these AmeriCares donated to a partner in Mexico, are effective against Swine Flu.
Mexico is in the midst of an outbreak of Influenza A, commonly known as Swine Flu. It has sickened more than 2,500 people and has been linked to 159 deaths. AmeriCares current aid to Mexico includes three shipments of medicines and supplies and we are preparing additional shipments to meet the health care needs of our partners.
AmeriCares recently sent two shipments to Mexico which included medicines, face masks for infection control and nutritional support for people who have been infected. The medicines included antibiotics to help fight the flu, fever and pain reducers to control symptoms and an inhalant to help people with breathing problems.
A third shipment to health care partners in Mexico is quickly being prepared for immediate shipment and will include additional face masks, gloves, IV fluids, vitamins, antibiotics, throat lozenges and other essential medicines and supplies to help treatment and prevention initiatives.
“AmeriCares is watching this Influenza A outbreak very carefully,” said Dr. Frank Bia, AmeriCares Medical Director and an expert in infectious diseases. “As Swine Flu infects more people, it can adapt and become more dangerous - like a hurricane picking up strength over warm water.”
Read Dr. Bia’s Q&A: What You Need to Know About the Swine Flu. The outbreak in Mexico City is particularly alarming because the dense population, combined with a lack of access to basic medicines can lead to a spike in infections.
“The current swine flu outbreak is the same strain, H1N1, as during the flu pandemic of 1918 when more than twenty million people died,” said Dr. Bia. “Even though we have advanced medicines today, the risk is still great in the developing world where health care is out of reach for so many.”
AmeriCares keeps infection control supplies, including face masks, gloves and hygiene items on reserve, enabling us to respond immediately to serious outbreaks like the Swine Flu in Mexico City.
Since 1989, AmeriCares has been working to help people in Mexico with critical medical needs. Medicines and medical supplies donated by AmeriCares have played a critical role in protecting and improving health outcomes.
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WHO calls new strain of H1N1 "Mexican flu"
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/6280110/WHOs-call-new-strain-of-H1N1-Mexican-flu
Published: Wednesday 29 April 2009 17:32 UTC Last updated: Thursday 30 April 2009 06:48 UTC The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the most recent research on swine flu has shown that the virus is not caused by pigs. The disease is now being referred to as Mexican flu or "2009 H1N1 flu". The WHO has moved the pandemic alert from four to five, the second highest. The first case of what was called swine flu was reported in Mexico and its first fatality was confirmed there two weeks ago. The 23-month-old infant who died in the US state of Texas, in the first fatal case from the swine flu outbreak in the United States, was also Mexican. The child came from Mexico to Houston for medical treatment, officials said.In Europe, new cases of swine flu have been confirmed in five countries. Germany has officially reported three cases, Austria one and Croatia has confirmed some people are infected with the virus. Earlier, Great Britain and Spain had reported cases of swine flu but some new cases have since been officially diagnosed.There are multiple cases in Mexico and the United States; diagnoses have also been made in Canada, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Israel. All those found to be suffering from the virus have recently been to Mexico. After further testing, Mexico lowered the official number of those killed by the virus from 20 to seven.France says it will ask the European Union to ban all flights to Mexico in an attempt to prevent the virus from spreading. Brussels say that the European Commission does not have the authority to implement such a ban. Transport Commissioner Antonie Tajani said the EU should wait for the outcome of the health ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday before taking action that "would create panic ... detrimental to the economy and tourism".
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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sciw-swine-masks28-2009apr28,0,4722242.story
By Shari Roan
April 28, 2009
Don't count on those disposable masks to completely protect you against the swine flu percolating around the globe.
Many people in Mexico City, as well as travelers to and from Los Angeles, have been seen wearing mouth and nose protection of one type or another in recent days.
Swine flu: complete coverageMost were wearing face masks, which are loose-fitting and designed largely to help stop droplets from spreading from the person wearing the mask. They also protect the wearer's mouth and nose from splashes. They are not created to protect the wearer from breathing in very small particles.
Respirators, on the other hand, are made for just that. They are similar in appearance to the relatively inexpensive face masks but are designed specifically to protect the wearer from breathing in such particles. These masks, known as N95 for its filtering ability, fit more snugly on the face than face masks so that most air is breathed through the filter material. They work best if they are fitted specifically to the person wearing the mask.
A respirator that fits snugly on the face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a face mask. But it's easier to breathe through a face mask than a respirator over a long period of time, said experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Federal health officials said Monday that they, quite frankly, didn't know how helpful either type of devices are in preventing swine flu infection.
If used correctly, masks and -- more likely -- respirators may indeed reduce the risk of getting influenza, according to information released from the CDC. But for people who live in areas with confirmed cases, there is no single action that will provide complete protection. It simply isn't practical to wear a mask all the time, and they are not 100% foolproof.
Face masks and respirators are most useful for people who are in crowded settings, such as classrooms or airplanes, where they will protect the mouth and nose from germs and reduce the likelihood of coughing or sneezing on other people.
Face masks and respirators are sometimes recommended for people who are in close contact with an infected person. "Close contact" is defined as three feet or less by the World Health Organization and six feet or less by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Face masks and respirators should be worn once, according to the World Health Organization. (Look for face masks labeled for surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation or laser use.)
Health experts note that face masks and respirators should be used along with other precautions, such as frequent hand-washing, covering coughs, staying at home if ill and avoiding crowds.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AmeriCares Sends Medical Aid to Mexico for Swine Flu Outbreak
April 29, 2009
http://www.americares.org/newsroom/news/swine-flu-mexico-city-outbreak-epidemic.html
Infection control masks, like these AmeriCares donated to a partner in Mexico, are effective against Swine Flu.
Mexico is in the midst of an outbreak of Influenza A, commonly known as Swine Flu. It has sickened more than 2,500 people and has been linked to 159 deaths. AmeriCares current aid to Mexico includes three shipments of medicines and supplies and we are preparing additional shipments to meet the health care needs of our partners.
AmeriCares recently sent two shipments to Mexico which included medicines, face masks for infection control and nutritional support for people who have been infected. The medicines included antibiotics to help fight the flu, fever and pain reducers to control symptoms and an inhalant to help people with breathing problems.
A third shipment to health care partners in Mexico is quickly being prepared for immediate shipment and will include additional face masks, gloves, IV fluids, vitamins, antibiotics, throat lozenges and other essential medicines and supplies to help treatment and prevention initiatives.
“AmeriCares is watching this Influenza A outbreak very carefully,” said Dr. Frank Bia, AmeriCares Medical Director and an expert in infectious diseases. “As Swine Flu infects more people, it can adapt and become more dangerous - like a hurricane picking up strength over warm water.”
Read Dr. Bia’s Q&A: What You Need to Know About the Swine Flu. The outbreak in Mexico City is particularly alarming because the dense population, combined with a lack of access to basic medicines can lead to a spike in infections.
“The current swine flu outbreak is the same strain, H1N1, as during the flu pandemic of 1918 when more than twenty million people died,” said Dr. Bia. “Even though we have advanced medicines today, the risk is still great in the developing world where health care is out of reach for so many.”
AmeriCares keeps infection control supplies, including face masks, gloves and hygiene items on reserve, enabling us to respond immediately to serious outbreaks like the Swine Flu in Mexico City.
Since 1989, AmeriCares has been working to help people in Mexico with critical medical needs. Medicines and medical supplies donated by AmeriCares have played a critical role in protecting and improving health outcomes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO calls new strain of H1N1 "Mexican flu"
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/6280110/WHOs-call-new-strain-of-H1N1-Mexican-flu
Published: Wednesday 29 April 2009 17:32 UTC Last updated: Thursday 30 April 2009 06:48 UTC The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the most recent research on swine flu has shown that the virus is not caused by pigs. The disease is now being referred to as Mexican flu or "2009 H1N1 flu". The WHO has moved the pandemic alert from four to five, the second highest. The first case of what was called swine flu was reported in Mexico and its first fatality was confirmed there two weeks ago. The 23-month-old infant who died in the US state of Texas, in the first fatal case from the swine flu outbreak in the United States, was also Mexican. The child came from Mexico to Houston for medical treatment, officials said.In Europe, new cases of swine flu have been confirmed in five countries. Germany has officially reported three cases, Austria one and Croatia has confirmed some people are infected with the virus. Earlier, Great Britain and Spain had reported cases of swine flu but some new cases have since been officially diagnosed.There are multiple cases in Mexico and the United States; diagnoses have also been made in Canada, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Israel. All those found to be suffering from the virus have recently been to Mexico. After further testing, Mexico lowered the official number of those killed by the virus from 20 to seven.France says it will ask the European Union to ban all flights to Mexico in an attempt to prevent the virus from spreading. Brussels say that the European Commission does not have the authority to implement such a ban. Transport Commissioner Antonie Tajani said the EU should wait for the outcome of the health ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday before taking action that "would create panic ... detrimental to the economy and tourism".
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It was only a month that the Swine flu has spreads out through the world from Mexico to Europe. People become aware that they might infected the virus from others.
When I look back to my country, Thailand, we had been facing the problem of the Avain flu before. It made us to know how to protect ourselves from the virus and how to contaminate it.
Even though Thailand is safe from the swine flu and no one has got infected from it, but it is better to prepare for it. I just noted for how to prevent yourself from the swine flu, with the easy steps that everyone can do it at home or at school.
- Wash your hands as often as possible, and make sure that you use the soap.
- You might go to the pharmacy and ask for the hand gel, which will be very easy for you to rub your hand with the cleaning gel anytime you want. But make sure that it can prevent you from Bacteria and germs by looking at the label and check for the substance. The price of hand gel bottle is about 100-120 baht and you can use it for several months.
- For the ladies, if you care about your skin also, try to check the hand gel at the beauty shop and looking for the gel that contains the moisturizer.
- Buy yourself a facemask. It has the price from 25 baht to the 400-500 baht. But check on the quaility of your product first or you might look at the website of respirator seller. If you don't have time or don't know where to buy, you can ask at your local administration. It is important to check at your mask and choose the one that can fit you. I recommend for the surgical mask that is easy to use.
- Avoid going to the places that you might get infection from others. But swine flu can be infected only person to person.
- Always check your health. It is better to keep yourself fit by exercise 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
- Drink water as much as possible. (Only drink water)
