Could the mask already seen by many scientists as the most effective shield against Covid-19 have yet another benefit? Some researchers now believe that they expose wearers to smaller, less harmful doses of the disease which spark an immune response.
This as yet unproven theory suggests that masks could help inoculate people while we wait for a vaccine.
Non-medical fabric or disposable masks have been recommended across the world, mainly as a way to help stop infected people from spreading the new coronavirus.
While they do not offer full protection, masks may potentially reduce the amount of virus inhaled by a wearer, according to a recent paper published this month in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
"We hypothesise that the higher a dose (or inoculum) of virus you get into your body, the more sick you get," one of the authors Monica Gandhi, a specialist in infectious diseases at the University of California San Francisco, told AFP.
"We think that masks reduce that dose of virus that you inhale and, thereby, drive up rates of asymptomatic infection."
Gandhi, director of the UCSF-Gladstone Center for AIDS Research, said that asymptomatic infection was linked to a strong immune response from T lymphocytes -- a type of white blood cell -- that may act against Covid-19.
"We think masks can act as a sort of 'bridge' to a vaccine by giving us some immunity", she said, adding that researchers were launching several studies to try and test the theory.
These would include looking at whether the requirement of a mask in certain cities had reduced the severity of the disease there.
They are also looking at antibody studies in Taiwan, where masks are ubiquitous but there are very few restrictions.
"Of course, it's still a theory, but there are many arguments in its favour," Bruno Hoen, director of medical research at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, told AFP.
He said we should "take a different look at the use of masks", which were initially deemed unnecessary by health authorities, against the backdrop of shortages.
Today, they are widely recommended to slow the spread of infection.
- Lessons from smallpox -
The theory echoes "variolation", a rudimentary technique used before the appearance of vaccines that involved giving people a mild illness to try to inoculate them against more serious forms of a disease.
In Asia, early variolation often meant blowing dried scabs from smallpox patients up the noses of healthy people, according to the US National Library of Medicine.
When it reached Europe and America in the 18th century, the practice which sometimes killed the patient commonly involved inserting smallpox under the skin.
The NEJM article suggests a parallel in the idea that being exposed to small doses of virus boosts immunity.
"It is an interesting theory with a reasonable hypothesis," Archie Clements, Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Health Sciences at Australia's Curtin University, told AFP.
But others expressed reservations.
Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University in New York, said she was "pretty skeptical of this being a good idea".
She noted that we do not yet know if a lower dose of virus does mean a milder illness.
We do not know if masks reduce exposure to the virus, she said on Twitter, adding that the duration and level of immunity are also still poorly understood.
"This is an interesting idea, but there are too many unknowns to say that masks should be used as a tool for 'variolating' people against SARS-CoV-2," she added.
A key stumbling block to answering these questions is that testing the UCSF researchers' hypothesis is difficult.
"It is true that such a hypothesis in humans using gold standard methods (of experimental design) can never be proven given that we cannot expose humans deliberately to the virus," Gandhi said.
But some studies have proved useful, she said, including research conducted in Hong Kong on hamsters.
Scientists simulated mask-wearing by placing one between the cages of infected rodents and healthy ones.
They found that hamsters were less likely to catch Covid-19 if they were "masked", and even if they did catch it, their symptoms were milder.
There have also been a few accidental real-world experiments.
In one case, a cruise ship that departed from Argentina in mid-March issued everyone on board with surgical masks after the first sign of an infection.
Researchers found that 81 percent of those who caught the virus were asymptomatic, which Gandhi said compared to around 40 percent on other vessels where masks were not worn systematically.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Sat Sep 26 2020
![Do masks help boost COVID immunity? Do masks help boost COVID immunity?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-09/51601119721_MASK.jpg)
Non-medical fabric or disposable masks have been recommended across the world, mainly as a way to help stop infected people from spreading the new coronavirus. AFPRelaxpic
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).
![124 kes HIV baharu di Johor - Exco 124 kes HIV baharu di Johor - Exco](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/81638409011_HIV.jpg)
124 kes HIV baharu di Johor - Exco
Sebanyak 313 kes HIV dilaporkan di Johor sejak Januari hingga hari ini, kata Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kesihatan dan Perpaduan Negeri, Ling Tian Soon.
![Johor catat 494 kes HIV, 244 kes AIDS sehingga minggu epid 24/2022 Johor catat 494 kes HIV, 244 kes AIDS sehingga minggu epid 24/2022](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-01/61643593201_VACCINE.jpg)
Johor catat 494 kes HIV, 244 kes AIDS sehingga minggu epid 24/2022
Johor Bahru melaporkan kes HIV baharu tertinggi iaitu 122 kes.
![Jangkitan baharu HIV menurun 70 peratus dalam tempoh 20 tahun - KKM Jangkitan baharu HIV menurun 70 peratus dalam tempoh 20 tahun - KKM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/71638354906_pesakitHIV.jpg)
Jangkitan baharu HIV menurun 70 peratus dalam tempoh 20 tahun - KKM
Rawatan ubat antiretroviral kepada orang yang hidup dengan HIV telah dipertingkatkan kepada 66 peratus pada tahun lepas.
![Hapuskan ketidaksamaan untuk lenyapkan AIDS -Dr Adeeba Hapuskan ketidaksamaan untuk lenyapkan AIDS -Dr Adeeba](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-11/61669810397_TBAIDS.jpg)
Hapuskan ketidaksamaan untuk lenyapkan AIDS -Dr Adeeba
Stigma dan diskriminasi menjadi penghalang yang tidak diperlukan kepada perkhidmatan rawatan, pencegahan dan penjagaan HIV.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/61648036783_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Sebanyak 90 peratus penghidap HIV/AIDS adalah lelaki Sebanyak 90 peratus penghidap HIV/AIDS adalah lelaki](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-05/61653227693_TBanitasuleiman.jpg)
Sebanyak 90 peratus penghidap HIV/AIDS adalah lelaki
Sebanyak 90 peratus penghidap HIV/AIDS di negara ini adalah terdiri daripada golongan lelaki, kata Ketua Sektor HIV/AIDS dan Hepatitis C Kementerian Kesihatan Dr Anita Suleiman.
![MAF, Perkeso jalin kerjasama bantu pencarum HIV/AIDS MAF, Perkeso jalin kerjasama bantu pencarum HIV/AIDS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/41638793088_MAFPERKESO.jpg)
MAF, Perkeso jalin kerjasama bantu pencarum HIV/AIDS
Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeson) dan Yayasan Aids Malaysia (MAF) jalin kerjasama bagi memperkasakan ODHA dalam kalangan pencarum.
![Pesakit AIDS juga manusia, dekati mereka. Agenda AWANI 9 malam ini Pesakit AIDS juga manusia, dekati mereka. Agenda AWANI 9 malam ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/51638354973_AGENDA.jpg)
Pesakit AIDS juga manusia, dekati mereka. Agenda AWANI 9 malam ini
Akhiri ketidaksamaan layanan terhadap pesakit AIDS untuk kita bersama menangani penyakit tersebut.
![Usaha tangani HIV/AIDS berdepan tekanan tatkala COVID-19 berlanjutan - Prof Adeeba Usaha tangani HIV/AIDS berdepan tekanan tatkala COVID-19 berlanjutan - Prof Adeeba](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/71622812886_TBHIVjpg.jpg)
Usaha tangani HIV/AIDS berdepan tekanan tatkala COVID-19 berlanjutan - Prof Adeeba
Antara cabaran lain termasuk kekuatan fizikal dan mental mereka yang menggerakkan inisiatif tersebut.
![Agong bangga atas pelantikan Dr Adeeba sebagai anggota Majlis Sains WHO Agong bangga atas pelantikan Dr Adeeba sebagai anggota Majlis Sains WHO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-04/61586512706_DatukDrAdeebaKam.jpg)
Agong bangga atas pelantikan Dr Adeeba sebagai anggota Majlis Sains WHO
Pakar penyakit berjangkit negara Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman atas pelantikan menjadi anggota Majlis Sains Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO).