Effectiveness of Face Masks and Respiratory Aid Devices for Prophylaxis against COVID-19

Muhammad Faizan1, Mohsin Javed2, Muhammad Ahmad3, Shabbir Hussain4*, Sohail Nadeem2, Farah Feroz5, Abdur Rauf6, Lubna Rasool6, Aliya Ibrar7, Mariyam fatima2

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic was spread rapidly around the world in 2019, and has greatly affected peoples general interaction, their work habits, daily
lives and businesses. A personnel protection against the spread of COVID-19 is not only beneficial but is critically important especially for those working in medical fields. Current studies were performed to review the use and benefits of face mask and respiratory aid devices in order to control the spread of COVID-19. The respiratory aids devices (RADs) may be recommended as anti-COVID-19 masks rather than surgical masks. However, RADs having P and R series filters do not prevent the infiltration of coronavirus due to its smaller size as compared to the filtration capacity of filters. The N99 and N100 filters cause a difficulty in
breathing; it is difficult to wear such sort of respirators for a longer time. N95 respirators are recommended by medical professionals as they provide lesser
(almost half) respiratory resistance. However, wearing of face masks is also involved some risks and side effects which may include physiological and disturbing effects, difficulty in breathing, affecting the volume and quality of sound, decrease of innate immunity, cardiopulmonary overload and increase in contamination chances due to development of humid habitat inside the mask.