hey, does wearing one of those mask even help prevent the flu?

[HardDrive]

Lets face facts, its time to take out the zombie rifle and shine her up boys.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Lets face facts, its time to take out the zombie rifle and shine her up boys.

Got a spare?

[89911]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09118/965987-114.stm

The paper today must of read your question!

[jyl]

Now my neighbor (ex medical type) is recommending something called a HEPA filter mask. I feel the arms race beginning.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I always thought that the masks only prevented you from spreading a disease. So if you don't have flu like symptoms, the mask isn't doing anything.

Your eyes and ears are still exposed.

Oh well, the masks to me just point out the people that are easy to mess with...

[The Gaijin]

The masks after an hour or two get wet from moisture and are less effective. Mostly I think they work by preventing you from touching your nose..

The whole washing hands thing is if you have picked up the virus from a surface to wash it off before you touch your eyes or nose. Apparently your mucous membranes are an easy entry point for the virus.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I believe that the best thing you can do is wash your hands.

Agreed. I go to a lot of conventions - hordes of people and lots of handshaking
. I wash my hands often and I rarely come home sick. Hands to eyes/nose/mouth is a disease highway.

I did get something in Vegas last week at NAB though . . .

Ian

[onewhippedpuppy]

Those masks do help protect you from some body fluid contact........like sex with women.

[Hugh R]

HEPA, High Efficiency Particulate Airfilter. 99.99% effective IIRC. They are pink.

[stevepaa]

thanks , Hugh. Where do you find those? OSH?

[jyl]

Hugh, you mean something like

http://www.achooallergy.com/mask-3M8233mask.asp?ref=base

or

http://www.achooallergy.com/mask-3mHEPA.asp

?

[Hugh R]

Yeah, they're both HEPA, the first one is disposable and has an exhalation valve which keeps the moisture from your breath from saturating the mask as quickly. The second you replace the pink cartfidges. It has an exhalation valve in the center. For both you need proper sealing. For the second one they come in S, M, L and XL. You need to get the one that fits. Fro the second one, you want to do a "Positive/Negative" fit test. You put it on, cover the two pink filters with the plams of your hands and igently nhale. The mask should suck up on your face. The you cover the exhalation valve with your palm and blow gently and the mask should puff up slightly. You want to check with both test for leakage around the mask, especially around the nose.

You can get both at OSH, Home Depot, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a run on them.

[tabs]

Mr President there is going to be a HEPA Filter Gap, but if we jump on it now we can assure you that there will only be 20 M dead tops....give or take a few!

[jyl]

I have a headache and feel woozy. But maybe its from reading filter specs.