Will the mask protect against the virus and when to wait for the first symptoms, said the doctor

A medical mask can reduce the risk of spreading a respiratory infection, especially if it is worn by the patient himself. This was told on the air of the talk show “PRO HEALTH” on the YouTube channel “SEE AND LIVE” by an infectious disease doctor, deputy chief doctor for the medical part of the Minsk City Clinical Infectious Disease Hospital, candidate of medical Sciences Svyatoslav Velgin, writes sb.by.

According to the specialist, the virus spreads by airborne droplets - when coughing, sneezing and talking. Therefore, indoors, a person with symptoms of infection should wear a mask if they are near other people. This reduces the likelihood of infection of others.

- Additional protection is provided by the situation when the mask is worn by both the sick and the healthy. When talking, a safe distance is one and a half meters. When coughing or sneezing - four to five meters. Therefore, it is desirable that everyone observe respiratory etiquette, said Svyatoslav Velgin.

On a street where people are not close to each other, a mask is usually not required.

- Do not forget that the mask must be changed periodically, otherwise microorganisms will multiply on it, and then it will become ineffective, said Svyatoslav Velgin.

The doctor explained that after the virus enters the body, the disease develops gradually. First comes the incubation period - the time before the onset of the first symptoms:

- It is believed that the shorter the incubation period, the more severe the disease can occur. In the flu, it sometimes shortens to a few hours, although it usually lasts one to two days.

Watch the PRO HEALTH project on the Watch and Live YouTube channel every Sunday at 12:00. Specialists in various fields will answer popular questions of concern to everyone in simple language and with humor.