Surgical masks help prevent spread of flu virus

Normal surgical masks help prevent people with the flu from spreading the virus just as well as more expensive face protection, Australian researchers have found .

In a real-life situation surgical masks effectively contain the virus when infected people cough.

Previous studies tested masks in laboratories using machines, not humans, and with non-infectious particles, says co-author Professor Lindsay Grayson, director of infectious diseases at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital.

“Our study compared the value of masks for the first time in a real-life clinical situation, in people with flu,” Professor Grayson said.

The study compared routine surgical masks with the more expensive and uncomfortable N95 masks, which are made from finer material.

No influenza virus was detected when participants wore the surgical or N95 mask but influenza was detected on all dishes when no mask was worn.

“Using this method, both masks appear to work equally as well because there was no detectable virus on the dishes. The material of both masks stopped droplets escaping,” Professor Grayson said.

“Although small, this study suggests that it doesn’t matter whether people with flu wear a surgical or N95 mask, it’s likely to prevent transmission of the virus, meaning less infection of healthcare workers and relatives.

He suggests doctors’ surgeries have signs asking patients who think they have flu to advise staff and receive a mask to wear in the waiting room. He also suggests people at home with the flu wear masks when going out.

Findings strengthen the rationale for recommendations that patients in hospital with flu and healthcare workers treating them wear masks.