In *healthcare* settings, medical masks are used by HCWs to protect from splashes and sprays of blood and body fluids, and by *sick* individuals to prevent spread of respiratory infections to others.
Respiratory pathogens may be present on used masks layers and lead to infection of the wearer.
One in ten masks were positive for any virus which highlights the risk of self-contamination to the wearer, particularly on doffing.
While using masks, or during long periods of time of re-using them, these pathogens may cause infection through hand or skin contamination, ingestion, or mucus membrane contact.
