How Can Masks Increase Your Immunity?
Even though everything is getting back to normal, still wearing masks has become a part of our lives. You cannot ignore this piece of fabric at all in this pandemic. These masks aim to protect from several viruses present in the atmosphere. Many are not even conscious of the viruses around themselves.
Wearing these surgical or N95 masks is not an easy task. It can be hard for those who have breathing issues.
One query that must be bombarding everyone’s mind these days is if wearing masks can boost their immune response against Coronavirus or not? The research is still going on regarding the link between wearing a mask and the immune system.
Basically, a mask serves as a filter for the people. This small face-covering acts as a coughy, breathy, sneezy, and talky filter. In simple words, it is a type of face underwear. The mask blocks all those tiny particles coming out of the mouths of people suffering from Covid-19 that can infect others as well.
The trend of using the hashtag #Maskingforafriend is at its peak as people are posting their pictures wearing masks.
Is there a need to know more about this face covering? Yes, of course, no one would like to wear it until and unless they know such benefits that can further convince them regarding wearing it. Whether it be an ordinary mask or an N95, both are proven to offer the same functionalities.
According to George W. Rutherford and Monica Gandhi, “masks can filter out some virus-containing droplets (with filtering capacity determined by mask type), masking might reduce the inoculum that an exposed person inhales.”
In other words, the mask minimizes inoculum, which is the severity and amount of respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV2) that can enter the body. So, the chance of catching the virus totally depends upon how much the person is going out. But the face-covering he is wearing at that time can reduce his interaction with this virus.
Rutherford and Gandhi tried to explain that a mask can work in a slightly different way. Isn’t it a new yet confusing logic? Vaccines and masks can provide the same benefits. Yes, you have read it right!
Wait, do not inject a mask into the body. Never ever try to do so. The reason for comparing is masking can make the immunity stronger through variolation. The NLM (the National Library Medicine) website explains how variolation has helped Asians in immunizing themselves against smallpox.
Variolation is not a substitute for vaccination, but yes, it could minimize the risk of getting smallpox. Similarly, a face mask can cover the mouth and nose, which, in turn, reduces the dose of the virus entering into the body. As a result, if someone even catches a bit of the virus, it would not be able to lead him towards severe infection. Therefore, until and unless the vaccine comes, everyone should use a mask to improve their immunity as it can stop the entrance of several unknown viruses in the air.
