To help
control the spread of respiratory illness, such as influenza in
health care settings, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) wants
people to "Ask for a Mask". With increasing levels of influenza-like illness circulating
in Utah, it is important that the public understand how to protect
themselves and those around them from infectious diseases.
Cough,
cold and flu season is here. The “Ask for a Mask”
message encourages those visiting health care buildings to request
a mask if they have a fever with cough or rash and to wear it
for the duration of their visit. People
who visit Utah’s health care offices and buildings are asked
to do their part to keep respiratory illnesses from spreading
when visiting health care facilities. In the coming weeks and
for the remainder of the cough, cold and flu season, signs and
bookmarks will be posted and distributed widely in hospital and
doctor’s waiting rooms where the sick often expose others
to their germs.
The signs
and bookmarks also reinforce the basics of “respiratory
etiquette” which includes covering your mouth and nose every
time you sneeze or cough, placing used tissues into the trash,
washing hands well and often with soap and water and/or using
an alcohol hand sanitizer. Of course, the first line of defense
when you’re sick is to stay home and away from social situations
such as church, shopping, holiday gatherings, school or work.
Also, consider a greeting other than a handshake to help keep
germs from infecting others. “Simple surgical masks are
an effective, low-tech way to keep many respiratory illnesses
from spreading in healthcare settings,” said Dr. Robert
Rolfs, State Epidemiologist, UDOH. “Health care professionals
are used to wearing masks, but this will be something new for
patients or visitors to health care facilities. I urge Utahns
to take these basic infection control measures to heart and do
their part to help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.”
Masks
have been shown to be an effective way to limit the spread of
respiratory diseases. Respiratory diseases can be spread to others
from tiny droplets that exit the nose or mouth of an infected
person when they cough, sneeze or talk. The common cold, flu,
whooping cough, chicken pox, measles, rubella and SARS are all
examples of diseases that can be spread by droplets in the air.
Fever with a cough or rash are common symptoms of these diseases.
“While
it may seem unusual at first and may take some getting used to,
using masks will put us in a much better position to help slow
the spread of infectious diseases,” said Joseph M. Krella,
President, Utah Hospital and Health Systems Association. “We
encourage all visitors to hospitals and healthcare facilities
to ask for a mask if they are experiencing cold and flu symptoms.”
For more
information on infection control, visit the Utah Department of
Health Web site at: http://health.utah.gov/epi/infection_control/ic.html
