Virologist Petr Chumakov commented on the effectiveness of wearing masks as a means of preventing influenza infection.
In the coming winter season, Russians are attacked by swine flu, and citizens are strongly advised to wear masks in public places to reduce the possible risks of infection with it. Academician Chumakov spoke in an interview with Ura.ru about how this measure can really be useful in terms of protection against influenza infection.
The scientist said that masks for preventing the incidence of influenza are “quite effective”, which doctors were able to verify in previous years when COVID-19 was rampant.
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“When everyone wore masks, there was practically no flu. The seasonal rise in influenza, which usually happens in December, January, February, was not at all against this background,” said Petr Chumakov.
The virologist noted that the flu wave that has begun in the Russian Federation is likely to be very strong. During the two “covid” years, there was no mass incidence of it in the country – this affected the decrease in collective immunity.
Medical masks do not protect against viruses
“Unlike COVID-19, influenza has an average contagiousness, so wearing masks is a good means of protecting against it,” the scientist added.
Earlier, the MedikForum.ru portal wrote that it is possible to distinguish influenza from coronavirus by the way a sick person has a temperature.
Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. Seek medical attention at the first sign of illness.
Petr Chumakov Zdorovye virologist, head of the laboratory of cell proliferation at the V. A. Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, professor, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences