[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/12\/facemasks-are-still-important\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/12\/facemasks-are-still-important\/","headline":"Why Facemasks Are Still Important Against Respiratory Diseases","name":"Why Facemasks Are Still Important Against Respiratory Diseases","description":"Face masks are a critical tool to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncynctial virus (RSV).","datePublished":"2023-12-18","dateModified":"2025-02-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1301248821.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1301248821.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/12\/facemasks-are-still-important\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":975,"articleBody":"We closely monitor the spread of respiratory illness at UPMC. We are currently seeing substantial levels of respiratory illness due to several viruses. Masking will help to decrease the risk of spreading these potentially serious respiratory illnesses among our patients and staff. For up-to-date information about masking, call\u00a0833-390-9489 or visit our website.Masks are important tools to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. Wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and other viruses. They can especially help during respiratory virus season when community virus levels are higher.Although influenza, RSV, and other viruses often cause minor, cold-like symptoms, they also put some people at risk of severe illness. This includes older adults, young children, immunocompromised people, and those with underlying health conditions. By wearing a mask, you\u2019re doing your part to protect both yourself and others in the community.During the COVID-19 pandemic, facemasks became a widely used tool for preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Many places where the risk of disease transmission was highest, such as indoor public places, required masks.Wearing a facemask is an effective tool for preventing the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and the flu. Wearing a mask can protect you and others around you from these and other infections.With the respiratory virus season in full swing, learn why wearing a mask is still an important preventive tool.Do Masks Prevent Disease?Masks are effective ways at both preventing spread and protecting against exposure. They\u2019re especially effective when combined with other protective measures. Acceptable masks include N95, KN95, surgical masks, and cloth masks that adequately cover the nose and mouth.There were lower rates of flu cases worldwide in 2020, 2021, and 2022.\u00a0A 2023 study in\u00a0Viruses\u00a0linked the reduction in cases with higher amounts of mask-wearing across the globe.A 2022 study in\u00a0Frontiers in Public Health\u00a0analyzed 31 different studies on facemasks. It found facemasks were effective at preventing respiratory viral infections. Different kinds of masks \u2014 including N95 masks, surgical masks, and common masks \u2014 were all effective, the study reported.Similarly,\u00a0a 2022 study in\u00a0PLOS ONE\u00a0analyzed 18 different studies on facemasks. It reported that facemasks can decrease the spread of respiratory viruses in the community, especially when combined with other protective efforts.There are fewer studies of facemasks\u2019 effectiveness against RSV, a respiratory virus that\u2019s often more severe for infants and older adults.\u00a0But a\u00a0Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society\u00a0study\u00a0reported much lower RSV rates in health care workers who wore masks.Along with masks, other measures that can limit respiratory virus spread include staying home when sick and keeping good hand hygiene.Vaccines also can be effective either at preventing disease or preventing serious illness and death.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all Americans 6 months and older receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines provide important updates for your immune system.There also is an RSV vaccine for certain populations, including older adults and people who are between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy during RSV season. Talk to your doctor about whether you\u2019re eligible for the RSV vaccine.When Should You Wear a Facemask?There\u2019s no \u201cwrong\u201d time to wear a facemask \u2014 they can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses at any time. But they\u2019re especially important in situations that pose a higher risk of transmission. They\u2019re also critical when you\u2019re with someone who\u2019s at risk of severe illness.Please note that children ages 2 years old and younger shouldn\u2019t wear a mask. If you\u2019re older than 2, appropriate situations for wearing a mask can include:If you must meet with other people when you\u2019re ill, wearing a mask can help prevent your illness from spreading to others \u2014\u00a0When possible, staying home if you\u2019re ill is best. Wear a mask when going to a doctor\u2019s appointment or otherwise outside of your home.If you\u2019re in a crowded indoor public space \u2014\u00a0Crowded indoor public places carry a higher risk of transmission because there\u2019s less opportunity for physical distancing. Wearing a mask can protect both yourself and others.If you\u2019re immunocompromised or at a higher risk of severe illness \u2014\u00a0If you have an underlying medical condition or you\u2019re immunocompromised, you may already wear a mask. Protecting yourself as much as possible is important.If you\u2019re with someone who\u2019s at higher risk for severe illness \u2014\u00a0This can include infants and young children, older adults, immunocompromised people, and those who have underlying health conditions. These groups are at a greater risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from respiratory illnesses. Wearing a mask can protect them.When traveling \u2014\u00a0Traveling carries a higher risk of disease transmission. That\u2019s especially the case if you\u2019re traveling by plane, bus, train, or other high-frequency public transportation options. Wearing a mask when you\u2019re traveling and around large groups of people can help protect both you and others.Though those are just some reasons to wear a mask, remember that there\u2019s no wrong reason. If you feel most comfortable wearing a mask, feel free to wear a mask. It can protect you and others around you. View the CDC guidelines for masking.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on December 18, 2023, and was last reviewed on February 12, 2025.SourcesYiming Chen, Yuelin Wang, Ningbin Quan, et al, Frontiers in Public Health, Associations Between Wearing Masks and Respiratory Viral Infections: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. LinkHanna M. Ollila, Markku Partinen, Jukka Koskela, et al, PLOS One, Face Masks to Prevent Transmission of Respiratory Infections: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on Face Mask Use. LinkHikaru Takeuchi and Ryuta Kawashima, Viruses, Disappearance and Re-Emergence of Influenza During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Association with Infection Control Measures. 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