Surgical masks

[MSMichaela1966]

I've bought my surgical masks and plan to start wearing them when in a public place. All I have to think about now is when people start to glare at me thinking I've got a infectious disease. I'm actually protecting myself from other people's germs. I can't be getting any infections so close to having my lung reduction surgery. Does anyone else wear these?

[stone-UK]

Hi

Surgical mask are worn so the wearer can not transfer body fluids to others.

If you happy to wear one, try in the home first, with some gentle movement, turn your head side to side several times, count to ten and say short sentences.

Some mask can hinder your breathing. On the slightest of excertion.

I have tried similar with charcoal filter, didn’t help with my breathing.

[MSMichaela1966 in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you Stone_UK when I was up in London at the Royal Brompton hospital the fumes from the cars and buses choked me then with everyone sniffing coughing etc on the trains I cover my mouth and nose as much as I can but I just hate the thought of another infection..

[stone-UK in reply to MSMichaela1966]

Hi

Just try one around the home, to see if it impacts on your breathing, they tend to make your nose run. Which could be worse, you can only try.

[Hidden]

Well let's face it, they do look weird, and are bound to draw attention, less so in London where there are so many people from countries where they're commonplace. I don't blame you at all for taking every conceivable precaution prior to your operation. I looked into it at the time of the SARS outbreak. Of course microscopic viruses can penetrate many of them. And you have to wear a fresh one each day. Which ones are you getting, out of interest? I take the usual precautions eg avoid public transport, crowded places, rigorous hand hygiene, don't touch public door handles & don't touch face

[MSMichaela1966]

Haha its all written in German H&S I've just got back from the states and was continously washing my hands and pushplates on doors are full of germs. I'm being overly cautious at the moment

[Hidden]

My daughter wore them everywhere whilst she was going through chemo forher breast cancer last year. Coincidence or not she didn’t catch anything all winter. I agree with your concerns. Just ignore anybody who gives you funny looks. I help in a heritage tourist attraction. The Japanese wear these masks year round.

[MSMichaela1966 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the response Littlepom that's very encouraging to know.

[Hidden]

My respiratory specialist told me they are not effective as soon as they get damp..

[MSMichaela1966 in reply to Hidden]

Oh... I was going to wrap a scarf over the top too. No harm in trying I suppose.

[Hidden in reply to MSMichaela1966]

Just if you take your scarf off in public and your mask is damp you will be more prone to catching viruses..

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I was told to use a steroids nasal spray like Avamys if I went on public transport etc and take extra inhalers 15mn before going out

[MSMichaela1966]

Happylondon I too have that nasal spray I'll give that a go today before I go out. Thank you.

[hallentine47]

All the studies I have read on benefits of wearing face masks suggest that they cause more problems than solve. I agree with Stone. Masks are more about keeping your germs from infecting others rather than preventing others germs infecting the wearer.

[MSMichaela1966 in reply to hallentine47]

😭I am so sick of being sick.

[hallentine47 in reply to MSMichaela1966]

I guess we all feel like that from time to time but always there are moments to treasure even if it is only moments of relief, however that has been achieved or happened upon. Never give up and remember that a lot of thoughts go to you from members of this site including ours.