Repository of Research and Investigative Information

Repository of Research and Investigative Information

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences

Community Use of Face Masks against the Spread of COVID-19

(2021) Community Use of Face Masks against the Spread of COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. p. 13.

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Abstract

The role of face masks to prevent and control COVID-19 is critical, especially since asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infected individuals can shed high loads of SARS-CoV-2 in the surrounding environment. In addition to being a two-way barrier to protect against virions droplets both in terms of "source control" (for the benefits of the community) and "physical protection" (for wearer), face masks also allow maintaining physiological temperatures and humidity of the nasal cavity and mouth, independently from the external environmental conditions. Beyond compromising the viral transmission speed, exposure to cold environments could have a detrimental effect on the host's susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. The innate human immune system becomes in fact weaker with cooler nose temperatures and thus more vulnerable to viral replication. Furthermore, there is evidence that warm, humid climates are associated with reduced spread of SARS-CoV-2, while cold dry conditions favor its stability and transmissibility. In the early stage of a viral infection, a physiological body temperature in the upper airways supports the innate immune system, endorsing the muco-ciliary clearance, inhibiting, or deactivating any first settlement of viruses. Face masks are therefore strongly recommended also outdoors, especially under cold weather conditions, not only as a physical barrier against the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but also to prevent the rapid cooling of the nasal mucosa and the inhibition of the human innate defense of the upper airways.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 transmissibility nasal cavity health protection face masks exhaled breath temperature cold acceptability respirators tolerance humidity impact level body hot Environmental Sciences & Ecology Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Page Range: p. 13
Journal or Publication Title: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal Index: ISI
Volume: 18
Number: 6
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063214
Depositing User: مهندس مهدی شریفی
URI: http://eprints.bmsu.ac.ir/id/eprint/10100

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