MicroWaveDec 27, 2024

Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human infection in US, CDC says

https://lemmy.world/post/23595264

Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human infection in US, CDC says - Lemmy.World

Summary The CDC identified rare mutations in the bird flu virus from the first severe U.S. human case, found in a Louisiana resident over 65 with severe respiratory illness. The mutations, located in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene responsible for cell attachment, differ from those in local backyard flock samples and align with severe cases seen abroad. The patient was infected with the D1.1 genotype, recently found in U.S. wild birds and poultry, not the B3.13 genotype seen in humans and livestock elsewhere. The CDC states no person-to-person transmission occurred, and public risk remains low.

Show threadBsher8365
Get those N95 marks now, folks - by summer, it’s back to mask shortages once again.
Dec 27, 2024 at 12:47pmWeb
Show threadzephorahDec 27, 2024

N95 requires a proper fit test to be effective against airborne microbes. Even if it feels like it fits, you won’t know if you can achieve a proper seal on that size/type mask without a fit test.

If you have facial hair, it would be highly unusual to ever achieve a seal on an N95 mask, which is why those workers wear air fed whole head masks with attached power units called PAPR or CAPR.

The standard double cartridge, reusable 3M mask can, with the right cartridges, protect you from others but the exhale valve allows you to breathe your own microbes into the world for everyone else to enjoy.

KN95 are used in hospital at a threat stage level prior to N95, depending on internal threat assessment grading, per internal hospital policy.

All of that said, standard isolation for standard flu in a hospital is a blue surgical mask, what is commonly labeled as “droplet precautions”, unless a CPAP, BiPAP, or nebulizer is in use.

Using a CPAP, BiPAP, or nebulizer makes everything you have, respiratory wise, airborne for a while, during and after use. And I’m a random nobody spouting off on the internet who should not be listened to about anything .

Show threadKrudlerDec 28, 2024

spouting off on the internet who should not be listened to

Exactly. Get a damned grip. We’re talking about the average doofus wearing a paper mask on the bus, not working in a virology lab.

Show threadNotMyOldRedditNameDec 28, 2024

All masks require a fit test to be sure they are working properly.

You won’t be allowed to use any authorized mask without a fit test if it’s in a mandatory setting.

Show threadzephorahDec 28, 2024
Fit tests are not conducted on any but the N95 type and other airborne gear.
Show threadNotMyOldRedditNameDec 28, 2024

That’s just flat out not true.

A location might not accept anything but a fit test on a n95 mask, but you can walk into any place and have them do a test.

I got fit tested for a n95 when I wanted to do air travel, and they said they could test my KN94 as well, they just couldn’t offer a certificate to use it anywhere.

The other masks don’t just magically have a 100% fit rate, and if you really wanted to know if it fits at all you can get it checked.

Show threadzephorahDec 29, 2024
Who is “they”? I’m not giving you shit here, I’d genuinely like to know who does fit testing besides health care employers.
Show threadNotMyOldRedditNameDec 29, 2024

Employers require the fit testing, but the fit testers can be independent businesses. I just googled where to get a fit test and walked in. In my case it was a little side business she ran.

A lot of union trades require fit tests as well as their employees can encounter dangerous situations, but at least the person I know in trades said they were mandated to get it, but it’s up to them to actually wear the gear, the employer won’t force it.

Show threadzephorahDec 29, 2024

In my experience it’s a smell or, now, a particulate test read by a computer.

A smell that can’t breech the N95 and does not linger is sprayed. If you can smell it there’s no tight seal and you fail the fit. Now, it’s often read by computer, because some individuals can’t smell the subtle aromas in the solutions used, more so post COVID. A tube is riveted to the front of the mask while particulate is aerosolized while a computer reads the interior environment of the mask to see if there’s a breach on the seal, and if there is, you fail the fit.

I’ve never encountered “fit” for items that don’t require an airborne seal. There’s training on how to don and doff the gear, often in the form of computer based modules instead of in person, but no “fit”. Or it’s offered and I can decline because once you know you know, for the same gear.

I can only speak to medical and psych facilities, clinics, contexts in the United States.

I did Google it. What I find in a 100mile radius is “online” fit testing certifications for $35-50. Save your money, a particulate breech test in person is required. I’m guessing you got lucky there, by your location.

Show threadNotMyOldRedditNameDec 29, 2024

Dude I really can’t undrestand why you can’t accept this.

It was a legit full on fit test for a N95 done by a person by a person who does them for workplaces requiring a fit test, with the whole wearing a hood without wearing the mask and them putting this smell into the hood, with you testing you can smell it first, and then with the mask on, and you move your head in all sorts of directions while they add scents with various types of breathing.

You can test ANYTHING if you want within there to see if the smell can penetrate it, it’s just required by workplace safety for N95 and life saving respiratory equipment.

ALL MASKS MUST FIT PROPERLY TO WORK, even if they won’t certify it.