Can we reduce the spread of influenza in schools with face masks?

There is sufficient evidence indicating that masks, if worn properly and consistently, are an effective nonpharmaceutical intervention in the control of disease spread. The use of masks during a pandemic can minimize the spread of influenza and its economic impact, yet mask-wearing compliance in adu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of infection control 2010-11, Vol.38 (9), p.676-677
Main Authors: Del Valle, Sara Y., PhD, Tellier, Raymond, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Settles, Gary S., PhD, Tang, Julian W., PhD, MRCP, FRCPath
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Child
children
Disease control
Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control
Disease transmission
droplet
Epidemiology. Vaccinations
General aspects
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infection Control
Infection Control - methods
Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases
Influenza
Influenza, Human - epidemiology
Influenza, Human - prevention & control
Influenza, Human - transmission
intervention
Masks - utilization
Medical sciences
Medical supplies
Nonpharmaceutical
pandemic
Pandemics
prevention
Schools
social distancing
Students
transmission
Viral diseases
Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases
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Summary:There is sufficient evidence indicating that masks, if worn properly and consistently, are an effective nonpharmaceutical intervention in the control of disease spread. The use of masks during a pandemic can minimize the spread of influenza and its economic impact, yet mask-wearing compliance in adults is often poor. Educating the public on the effectiveness of masks can increase compliance whilst reducing morbidity and mortality. With targeted campaigns and the help of the fashion industry, masks may become a popular accessory amongst school children. As children are effective source-transmitters of infection, encouraging a trend toward such increased mask-wearing could result in a significant, self-perpetuating reduction mechanism for limiting influenza transmission in schools during a pandemic.
ISSN:0196-6553
1527-3296
DOI:10.1016/j.ajic.2010.03.012