How long do you recommend that a patient wear a mask when resuming biologic infusions following a recent upper respiratory infection?
Patients who have acquired an upper respiratory tract infection in the COVID, RSV, influenza era should wear masks as long as they are deemed contagious. The CDC makes recommendations concerning the duration of masking and the type to use. For COVID the current suggestion is 10 days after the cessat...
I am a little weary of asking questions, but are there any RCT supporting masks or gowns in these situations? If so, can you please cite them. In my experience, most infection control practices are implemented in the absence of quality or any data.
SMS
There may not be a recommendation but it is the smart thing to do.
It is my understanding that masking (N95, IF properly fitted) is modestly effective in preventing transmission of respiratory pathogens. Somehow, this has morphed into acquisition of respiratory pathogens.
I am not aware of existing data regarding acquisition of respiratory viruses through masking ...
I would appreciate a guideline, which explains when we need RCT data to support an intervention and when we don't, and, instead, we do what we guess is the right thing to do. That would be very helpful.