Respiratory label reduces risk of transmission of covid-19 and other diseases

Even before the global Covid-19 pandemic, “respiratory labels” were already frequently used by part of the population. The term refers to a series of actions that can reduce the risks of transmitting infectious diseases through fluids generated by conversations, coughs or sneezes. Among the preventive measures are: use of a mask and continuous hand hygiene.

Even with the end of the emergency situation due to the pandemic, which began in 2020, masks continue to be recommended in some situations, according to the State Government’s decree. Patients with respiratory symptoms and healthcare professionals are some of the groups that are instructed to wear a mask. According to the infectious diseases consultant at the Ceará School of Public Health, Keny Colares, these recommendations are important, especially for those who have any flu-like symptoms.

“When you cough and use your hands, that’s good because it prevents transmission, but now your hands are contaminated and, naturally, you touch other people. So, the ideal is to use disposable paper or your forearm, as you won’t touch anyone there”, explains the specialist.

For those who are not sick or do not have flu-like symptoms, precautions should also be applied. Still according to Colares, We are in a seasonal time of viruses circulating. “So, in this case, it is worth wearing masks in more closed places or where there is a lot of crowds.” Another fundamental item for disease prevention is updating the vaccination record. “We are in the middle of a campaign and people need to get immunized, it is an effective way to avoid contamination”, adds Colares.

According to the decree of the Government of Ceará, published in the Official Gazette, you must wear a mask:

• Patients with respiratory symptoms or positive for Covid-19 and their companions;
• Patients who had close contact with a confirmed case during the disease’s transmissibility period (last ten days);
• Professionals who triage patients;
• Health service professionals, visitors and companions present in patient hospitalization areas, such as wards, rooms, intensive care units, urgency and emergency units, corridors of hospitalization areas, etc.;
• Situations in which the use of a face mask is recommended as personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals, in any area of ​​the healthcare service.