How Good Are Face Shields for Preventing Respiratory Infections?

Discussion A scoping review of facial protection for health care workers during a pandemic found that respirators such as N95 masks provide excellent protection against viruses and aerosols especially when combined with eye protection. Mask fit is an important consideration and respirators are tight fitting and therefore much less breathable and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Surgical masks do not provide as much protection as respirators but are in general more breathable and more comfortable. Surgical masks also provide much more protection than no mask or improvised masks. Improvised masks do provide some protection and are better than no masks. A face mask worn by someone who is ill, helps to prevent respiratory secretion aerosolization, and therefore helps to protect those around them. Face shields have been used to protect health care workers from infection for at least 100 years. Face shields create barriers for “…acutely-expelled aerosols of body fluids and are commonly used as an alternative to goggles as they confer protection to a larger area of the face.” Face shields can offer more coverage and less self-inoculation, have improved breathability and less claustrophobia, often are more comfortable, are easy to put on and off, can be used with other equipment, are reusable, easily cleaned and relatively inexpensive. They can also extend the life of personal protective equipment if used concurrently. Face shields can however get fogg...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news