Since we started wearing 1 surgical mask per shift and wearing sanitized N95s (reused and re-sanitized multiple times and not necessarily given back to the original owner), multiple staff members have noticed chronic low-grade sore throats and sinus congestion/irritation. Is anyone else experiencing this? 1 Likes
askater112 Nov 25, 2020 Surgical mask. I get congestion/sneezing. More days In a row I work my symptoms get worse. My pcp says I’m having an allergy to mask. I take Claritin daily now. Helped subside some of the symptoms. 1 Likes
maire, ASN, RN Specializes in Adult Med-Surg and Rehab. Has 13 years experience. Nov 25, 2020 With the N95, yes to the sore throat. It's super annoying. Some days it's worse than others and I wonder, Rona, is that you? Nope, just the mask.🙄 2 Likes
JVBT, ASN Specializes in clinic nurse. Has 6 years experience. Nov 25, 2020 The Fall and coolish weather season combined with allergies is IMHO what's doing it. I do not get sore throats from the mask, but at the same time, I don't do what we've been told to do with our masks, which is leave them at work. I live close to work and wear it home, and hang it in a sunny place. There's always a rotation of 4-6 masks going so that I am sure to wait at least three days usually more between wearings. I'm not leaving my mask in a place that likely has had the virus (or a virus or bacteria) circulating at one time or another. I always try to remember that it's not just SARS CoV2 that can collect in the mask, it's just as likely to be a bacteria. 1 Likes
NAtoRN Nov 30, 2020 We wear those crappy surgical masks at work. When I work 2-3 days in a row, I cough alot when I first get up then usually feel better. Recently, the hospital switched to lower quality surgical masks and today my lungs and throat hurt. I can't tell if I'm getting sick or it's the masks. 0 Likes
