Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: a randomized controlled trial
Randomized Controlled Trial Am J Infect Control . 2009 Jun;37(5):417-419. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2008.11.002. Epub 2009 Feb 12. Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: a randomized controlled trial Joshua L Jacobs 1 , Sachiko Ohde 2 , Osamu Takahashi 3 , Yasuharu Tokuda 3 , Fumio Omata 3 , Tsuguya Fukui 3 Affiliations expand PMID: 19216002 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2008.11.002 Abstract Background: Health care workers outside surgical suites in Asia use surgical-type face masks commonly. Prevention of upper respiratory infection is one reason given, although evidence of effectiveness is lacking. Methods: Health care workers in a tertiary care hospital in Japan were randomized into 2 groups: 1 that wore face masks and 1 that did not. They provided information about demographics, health habits, and quality of life. Participants recorded symptoms daily for 77 consecutive days, starting in January 2008