Flu 2018 panic is in full swing, and with very good reason. Already termed "moderately severe" by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), indications are that this flu season will only get worse, and the flu has claimed the lives of at least 30 children (and many adults) so far. Meanwhile, a new study from the University of Maryland reveals that the flu virus doesn't require a sneeze or cough to become airborne; it can spread simply through breathing.
2018年，人们对流感的恐慌正值高潮，这是合情合理的。疾病预防与控制中心已将其称为"中重度"，但迹象表明流感季只会越来越严重，迄今为止，流感已至少夺走30名儿童（和很多成年人）的生命。同时，马里兰大学的一项新研究表明，流感病毒并不需要喷嚏或咳嗽作为载体，仅靠呼吸就能得以传播。
But is masking your face a smart strategy, or merely an overreaction to flu fear?
但戴上口罩是不是一个明智的策略呢？亦或只是对流感恐惧的过度反应？
"Yes, a surgical mask can help prevent the flu," Sherif Mossad, MD, an infectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells Health. "Flu is carried in air droplets, so a mask would mechanically prevent the flu virus from reaching other people." It would work both ways, says Dr. Mossad, preventing transmission of the flu virus to others and for keeping a mask-wearer from picking up an infection.
"是的，医用口罩可以预防流感，"克利夫兰诊所的传染病专家谢里夫·摩萨德医学博士对《健康》杂志说道。"流感是在空气中传播的，所以口罩会机械地预防流感病毒感染其他人。"摩萨德医生说道，口罩能产生两方面的效果：预防流感病毒传染给其他人；同时也预防口罩佩戴者感染病毒。
Surgical masks to prevent the flu can be found in major drugstores and online, and yours doesn't need to be fancy to help. "A simple disposable mask is fine, just be sure the packaging notes that it protects against airborne particles," Susan Besser, MD, a family medicine doctor with Mercy Personal Physicians at Overlea in Baltimore, Maryland tells Health. And splurge for a value-sized pack. "Disposable is best and you should discard your mask after each use," says Dr. Besser. "If a mask gets wet-and it will by simply breathing into it-the effectiveness of its protective effect is reduced."
可以在药店和网上购买预防流感的医用口罩，并不需要请求他人的帮助。"那种简单的一次性口罩就可以了，但要确保包装上的注意事项上写着：防止吸入空气中的颗粒物，"马里兰州巴尔的摩市欧弗利Mercy Personal Physicians的家庭医学医师苏珊·贝瑟医学博士对《健康》杂志说道。买那种规格实惠的袋装口罩。"一次性口罩是最好的，每次用完之后都应该扔掉，"贝瑟医生说。"如果口罩湿了--可能是呼吸所致--那么它的保护效果就会降低。"
Remember that a mask is not 100% effective and should complement, not replace, other strategies. If you have the flu, the number one thing you can do to avoid spreading it to others is to stay home, notes Dr. Besser. And to avoid picking up the bug yourself, "hand washing is always number one," she says. Getting your flu shot and covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze (with the crook of your arm, not your hand) are still imperative.
你要记住，口罩不是百分百有效的，应该是其它策略的补充品而不是替代品。如果你患了流感，你能做的第一件事就是呆在家里。避免传染给其他人，贝瑟医生指出。想要避免流感，"洗手总是第一位的，"她说。注射流感疫苗、咳嗽或打喷嚏的时候捂住鼻子和嘴巴（用手臂捂住，而不是用手捂住）也是必要的。
译文属可可原创，仅供学习交流使用，未经许可请勿转载
评论
打印
