"COVID-19 Infected Individuals Experience Symptom Relief When Wearing Masks, US Study Finds... Why?"

A study has found that wearing a mask can prevent the worsening of symptoms in COVID-19 infected individuals. (The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article) Photo by Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] A study has found that wearing a mask can prevent the worsening of symptoms in COVID-19 infected individuals.

According to a paper published in the International Journal of Biophysics by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a subsidiary of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, wearing a mask increases the humidity of the inhaled air, which can suppress the spread of the virus to the lungs.

The researchers explained that high humidity helps strengthen the immune system by producing more interferons that fight the virus, a principle similar to alleviating the severity of the flu.

Additionally, tests conducted on four types of masks?N95 masks, surgical masks, cotton-polyester double masks, and thick cotton masks?showed increased humidity in inhaled air for all, with cotton masks proving to be the most effective.

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