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Uses for a Surgical Mask

A surgical mask is a sterile, thin polyester cloth worn on the mouth and nose and attached by two elastic bands fitting over the ears. Surgical masks are mainly used in hospitals by surgeons to keep the work area clean, but can also be used as everyday objects to protect yourself from germs, or to protect others from yours.

  1. Surgical

    • Surgical masks are foremost used to cover the mouth and nose of surgeons and nurses during procedures. The covering protects the medical staff from any infectious germs in the otherwise sterile surgical room, and also protects the patient. During the surgery, the patient may be exposed to germs through open incisions. By covering the mouth and nose of the medical staff, surgical masks reduce germs being expelled in their breath and make it easier to retain the sterility of the room. The masks are discarded after a single use in proper receptacles marked with medical waste signage.

    Common Courtesy

    • In eastern cultures, particularly Japanese culture, it is seen as common courtesy to wear a surgical mask while suffering from any sort of spreadable virus or disease. The affected person will wear the mask when leaving the house, during commutes and while doing business. The mask will stop some of the germs from escaping the affected individual through the mouth and nose, and in highly populated areas like Tokyo, this is helpful, as one person may come into contact with many other individuals.

    Protection

    • Surgical masks are also used in eastern places like Japan for protection from disease during cold and flu season. Personal surgical masks have become customizable as companies have started to sell masks with designs on them, trying to make the face coverings more fashionable. The surgical mask as a form of protection has become more common in the United States during the threat of epidemics such as SARS or bird flu. Surgical masks are sold at drug stores throughout the United States and Japan and are generally made available from hospitals for free during times of heavy flu spreading.

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