Guidance

How can I prevent infection?

Understanding how flu spreads can reduce your chance of catching it and passing it on. Tiny virus-filled droplets are sprayed when you cough and sneeze. The virus can also survive on your hands and on surfaces you touch, such as door handles or bus rails, leaving it for the next person to pick up.

This is where Covaflu flu masks can help: wearing one will help prevent the virus spreading, as well as reduce your chance of catching it.

If you have a cold, you can help reduce the risk of spreading the infection by coughing or sneezing into a tissue that you then throw away. You should take care to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water.

How much protection does a mask offer?

Masks can be helpful, but not all masks offer complete protection from the virus, and some only last a short period of time.

As the spread of flu viruses, including coronavirus, is via the spray from a cough or a sneeze, it makes sense to avoid these from other people directly infecting you via the mouth and nose.

There is evidence that masks with a fine particle filter offer protection. A study of 290 people showed that wearing a face mask around people with various types of respiratory viruses reduced their risk of catching infection by 60 to 80%. This study analysed spread if one family member, most often a child, had contracted a virus causing cold or flu symptoms, and other family members wore a mask around them.

If you decide to wear a mask, it is important that it fits to your face well, to keep out germs, and that you wear it all the time while you are at risk. It is important to wash your hands before putting it on and after removing it. Remove it carefully, away from others, and throw it away safely.

If you wish to purchase a mask, we recommend the Covaflu mask, which is a disposable face mask designed to filter out respiratory infections and prevent more people catching them. It is also designed to be fitted to your own personal facial features, leaving you as protected as possible.

How does the Covaflu mask work?

This unique face mask has been specially designed for the public to use in a flu outbreak. Designed to meet World Health Organisation and Health Protection Authority standards, it works by filtering out particles including liquids. This means it can offer protection if spray from a cough or a sneeze is coming your way.

It is adjustable, so you can customize it to closely fit your face and reduce your chances of spray. Some people find masks strange to wear at first, but with the right fit, you quickly get used to it. 

Compared to simple face masks, added comfort is built in to a respirator such as Covaflu, by using electrostatic technology to allow air to flow in and out, while preventing particles from getting in.

These masks are designed to be disposable, so – a bit like a tissue – you can use it when at risk and for a maximum of 8 hours, and then bin it.