Can a hijab help protect against Swine Flu?

Answer 1

There might be some benefit to wearing a hijab covering the mouth and nose, however, it would be no more helpful than wearing a surgical face mask.

To fully prevent breathing respiratory droplets, that can contain viruses, from a person who coughs or sneezes spreading the droplets into the air, a specially made mask, often called "respirator" would be required. Viruses are small enough that they can move through the fabric of surgical masks (and in the same way through the fabric of a hijab). A respirator works when fitted properly and used as instructed by a medical professional. Viruses can enter through the sides of facemasks that are not made to fit to prevent airflow around the edges on the face.

A hijab could protect others from your cough or sneeze if you have the flu since it would help trap the respiratory droplets released during the sneeze or cough when in place in addition to the use of a tissue. They would prevent the droplets from spreading in the air for another person to breathe in. It would provide the same amount of protection in these situations as a tissue covering the nose and mouth would.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new press report on May 23, 2009 with guidelines about the use and the usefuless, as well as the appropriate circumstances that they recommend the wearing of respirators or facemasks to prevent the spread of the Swine Flu (Novel H1N1). A link is provided below to this report that gives detailed information on using masks. As mentioned above the hijab would be only as effective as the surgical facemasks described in this report.

(See link below for additonal information on masks and the CDC guidelines for use to prevent spread of Swine Flu, Novel H1N1.)