Do masks heighten the risk of 'antibiotic resistant strains of pneumonia' or the risk of developing pneumonia at all?
Do masks heighten the risk of 'antibiotic resistant strains of pneumonia' or the risk of developing pneumonia at all?
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There is no evidence to suggest that the use of face masks increases the risk of developing pneumonia, or any other bacterial, fungal or viral infection in the lungs. In fact, according to a study published in the Preventive Medicine journal, wearing face masks is shown to protect people against bacterial infections in hospital settings, where health care workers are most prone to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The American Lung Association also endorses the U.S. CDC recommendation of wearing masks in public. WHO and CDC both recommend that general sanitation guidelines should be followed to ensure one is wearing clean masks. Wet or visibly dirty masks should not be worn, as they can be contaminated with micro organisms.
There is no evidence to suggest that the use of face masks increases the risk of developing pneumonia, or any other bacterial, fungal or viral infection in the lungs. In fact, according to a study published in the Preventive Medicine journal, wearing face masks is shown to protect people against bacterial infections in hospital settings, where health care workers are most prone to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The American Lung Association also endorses the U.S. CDC recommendation of wearing masks in public. WHO and CDC both recommend that general sanitation guidelines should be followed to ensure one is wearing clean masks. Wet or visibly dirty masks should not be worn, as they can be contaminated with micro organisms.
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What our experts say
There is no evidence to suggest that the use of face masks increases the risk of developing pneumonia, or any other bacterial, fungal or viral infection in the lungs.
In fact, according to a study published in the Preventive Medicine journal, wearing face masks is shown to protect people against bacterial infections in hospital settings, where health care workers are most prone to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The American Lung Association also endorses the U.S. CDC recommendation of wearing masks in public.
WHO and CDC both recommend that general sanitation guidelines should be followed to ensure one is wearing clean masks. Wet or visibly dirty masks should not be worn, as they can be contaminated with micro organisms.
There is no evidence to suggest that the use of face masks increases the risk of developing pneumonia, or any other bacterial, fungal or viral infection in the lungs.
In fact, according to a study published in the Preventive Medicine journal, wearing face masks is shown to protect people against bacterial infections in hospital settings, where health care workers are most prone to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The American Lung Association also endorses the U.S. CDC recommendation of wearing masks in public.
WHO and CDC both recommend that general sanitation guidelines should be followed to ensure one is wearing clean masks. Wet or visibly dirty masks should not be worn, as they can be contaminated with micro organisms.
Context and background
Several widely circulated false claims on social media, including one from a congressional candidate in Florida, suggest falsely that “Excessive use of face masks causes fungal and bacterial pneumonia.” Several infectious disease specialists have clarified the misinformation to explain that, other than some discomfort, normal use of face masks do not cause any harm. Healthcare providers wear masks for longer than 8 hours a day sometimes, with no evidence of such risks.
Several widely circulated false claims on social media, including one from a congressional candidate in Florida, suggest falsely that “Excessive use of face masks causes fungal and bacterial pneumonia.” Several infectious disease specialists have clarified the misinformation to explain that, other than some discomfort, normal use of face masks do not cause any harm. Healthcare providers wear masks for longer than 8 hours a day sometimes, with no evidence of such risks.
Resources
- Normal use of face masks do not cause pneumonia (AP)
- Efficacy of face masks and respirators in preventing upper respiratory tract bacterial colonization and co-infection in hospital healthcare workers (Preventive Medicine Journal)
- Should I wear a mask when I am out in public? (American Lung Association)
- Fact check: Masks worn during COVID-19 response do not cause fungal lung infections(Reuters)
- Coronavirus: How to Care for Your Face Mask (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
- Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19 (WHO)
- COVID-19 and face masks: To wear or not to wear? (Medical News Today)
- Normal use of face masks do not cause pneumonia (AP)
- Efficacy of face masks and respirators in preventing upper respiratory tract bacterial colonization and co-infection in hospital healthcare workers (Preventive Medicine Journal)
- Should I wear a mask when I am out in public? (American Lung Association)
- Fact check: Masks worn during COVID-19 response do not cause fungal lung infections(Reuters)
- Coronavirus: How to Care for Your Face Mask (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
- Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19 (WHO)
- COVID-19 and face masks: To wear or not to wear? (Medical News Today)
