Regarding masks, Covid, and viral load.

[LuckyCharms]

I've always been under the impression that when comparing high vs. low Covid viral loads, the degree of seriousness of your Covid symptoms if you do catch it via a low load exposure would be less than if you caught it vs. a high load exposure.

So let's say that you are wearing an N95 mask, that fits reasonably well, but not perfectly, and a viral load of Covid got through a gap where the mask meets your skin. I'm thinking that this viral load would be lower than if someone breathed directly into your face, and you had no mask on, therefore your case of Covid would be more serious than it would have been if you had a reasonable type of mask on, even if it did not fit perfectly.

In other words, does an N95 protect you from a a higher viral load, even if it does not fit perfectly? Does the comparably lower viral load reduce the seriousness of your symptoms?

Is everything I've stated above correct scientifically?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Shermann]

1. I don't have a paper to cite, but that's my understanding as well

Not all exposures are equivalent.

[agingdem]

2. personal experience...vaxxed and boosted...

I wear a N95 mask whenever I leave my home, and yet I tested positive for covid twice..November and January...and both time I knew where I contracted the virus and by whom...and each bout was similar in symptoms, severity and recovery...I've since had my second booster and I will continue to mask up, social distance in the long term..

[róisín_dubh]

4. Same, but I tested positive in July and a week ago nt

[Pinback]

3. Risk is based on many factors, but

it appears that exposure to more virus particles increases the odds of an infection and the odds of a serious outcome as well — according to this article quoting a virologist:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-much-covid-exposed-matters_l_5ffef16cc5b6c77d85ebca97

[LuckyCharms]

5. Thanks to all who responded. I never stopped masking...

and I most likely will continue to do so for quite a while.

In fact, I double mask. I have an unusual N95 on first, that has a replaceable NIOSH approved N95 filter that sits inside of a plastic cage, and the part that goes against your face is is made out of a 1/2 inch thick silicone gel. it takes me a good 5 minutes to fit properly, but after it is on, my glasses do not fog even a little when I exhale as hard as I can, and I can detect no leaks anywhere around the rim of the mask. It's so comfortable that you can wear it all day and hardly notice it. Then I have a surgical mask on over that which covers the plastic cage and the N95 filter..

People look at me sometimes, especially lately with the mask requirements relaxed, like I'm a total idiot. but I don't care.

[liberal_mama]

6. I've read some articles that suggest this is true, which is another reason I always wear my mask

I will have to research to see if there are any new studies on this, but a family member who is a supervisor at a public health agency told me the amount of virus you inhale at the initial infection can determine how sick you get.

My vaccinated husband had Covid in January and I hate to say it, but he wasn't very diligent about wearing his mask. He wears a mask around me as I'm immune compromised and he knows I will bitch at him if he doesn't, but I know he takes it off when he's away from home and there isn't a mandate. Also, he caught it at work from a sick coworker and all of his coworkers are anti-mask. He says they won't even wear masks when there is a mandate!

About a month before he actually got Covid, he had a cold and I told him to make sure he wore a mask at work while we waited for his PCR test results so he didn't infect anyone in case he was positive. He told me all of his coworkers were mocking him and saying, "What's up with the mask?" They said they hoped he had Covid so they could get 10 days paid time off if they got it. This was before they changed it to 5 days. A week after they changed it to 5 days, my husband actually got Covid. Of all the luck!

Well, despite being vaccinated, he had a severe case of Covid so I'm pretty sure he was unmasked when infected and inhaled a large amount of virus droplets. He was sick enough for the hospital with a high fever, uncontrollable coughing, horrible muscle pains, shortness of breath, fatigue, and he said his throat felt like it was cut up with razor blades. He's a healthy guy too so I always figured he would get a mild case, but he didn't. He's not overweight and doesn't have any comorbidities.