When do visitors need to use aprons, gloves and masks?
For most organisms visitors may not need to use any, and ward staff should advise you when you enter a ward or room with a yellow warning notice. You should not enter without this advice. Aprons should be used to protect your clothing when visiting anybody with for example, diarrhoea, and your hands washed after removing your apron and before leaving the room. You should then use alcohol gel after leaving the room or ward. Masks are not used very often as most risk is from your hands. Even catching a cold is more likely by touching your hands to your eyes or mouth! Usually when people sneeze the droplets start to fall from the air immediately so what you should wash your hands after using a handkerchief. The most common use of masks is with patients who might have tuberculosis (TB).
