The mask: Evolving through times

Abstract

The legendary Greek philosopher, Aristotle once said that “Man is by nature a social animal.” Biological transmission of any disease is linked to the social contact of human beings. Respiratory infections are the best example of it. Pandemics of respiratory viral illnesses in history have taught a lesson of simple measures to protect ourselves by using face masks. Since the last nine centuries, scientists have struggled to come up with the masks giving 95%–99% of protection against respiratory pathogens. Through this article, we aim to review the evolution of the mask through times, with the objective of finding its effectiveness in preventing infections and also its role as a source of infection. Various online databases were searched to find articles that provided description of evolution of the mask.