Skip to main content
. 2021 Mar 1;94(7):1627–1636. doi: 10.1007/s00420-021-01665-3

Table 5.

Frequencies of physical and psychological symptoms between N95 mask and surgical mask

Physical and psychological symptoms No 15 min 30 min 60 min  > 60 min
n % n % n % n % n %
Headache
 N95 mask 14 (41.2) 2 (5.9) 9 (26.5) 6 (17.6) 3 (8.8)
 Surgical mask 29 (85.3) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9) 4 (11.8)
Dizziness
 N95 mask 26 (76.5) 1 (2.9) 2 (5.9) 3 (8.8) 2 (5.9)
 Surgical mask 32 (94.1) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 2 (5.9)
Palpitation
 N95 mask 25 (73.5) 1 (2.9) 3 (8.8) 5 (14.7) 0 (0.0)
 Surgical mask 34 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
Difficulty breathing
 N95 mask 7 (20.6) 8 (23.5) 9 (26.5) 8 (23.5) 2 (5.9)
 Surgical mask 26 (76.5) 1 (2.9) 2 (5.9) 0 (0.0) 5 (14.7)
Drowsiness
 N95 mask 18 (52.9) 3 (8.8) 5 (14.7) 5 (14.7) 3 (8.8)
 Surgical mask 32 (94.1) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 2 (5.9)
Pins and needle
 N95 mask 32 (94.1) 1 (2.9) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
 Surgical mask 34 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
Muscle cramps
 N95 mask 34 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
 Surgical mask 33 (97.1) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9)
Nausea
 N95 mask 30 (88.2) 1 (2.9) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 2 (5.9)
 Surgical mask 33 (97.1) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
Vomiting
 N95 mask 33 (97.1) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
 Surgical mask 34 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
Facial sweating
 N95 mask 16 (47.1) 8 (23.5) 6 (17.6) 4 (11.8) 0 (0.0)
 Surgical mask 25 (73.5) 2 (5.9) 2 (5.9) 2 (5.9) 3 (8.8)
Drowning sense
 N95 mask 14 (41.2) 7 (20.6) 6 (17.6) 6 (17.6) 1 (2.9)
 Surgical mask 31 (91.2) 1 (2.9) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9)
Facial itching
 N95 mask 25 (73.5) 4 (11.8) 2 (5.9) 2 (5.9) 1 (2.9)
 Surgical mask 26 (76.5) 0 (0.0) 2 (5.9) 3 (8.8) 3 (8.8)
Coughing
 N95 mask 27 (79.4) 2 (5.9) 3 (8.8) 1 (2.9) 1 (2.9)
 Surgical mask 31 (91.2) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9) 1 (2.9)
Sneeze
 N95 mask 30 (88.2) 2 (5.9) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9)
 Surgical mask 33 (97.1) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
Attention deficit
 N95 mask 17 (50.0) 4 (11.8) 3 (8.8) 7 (20.6) 3 (8.8)
 Surgical mask 29 (85.3) 0 (0.0) 2 (5.9) 2 (5.9) 1 (2.9)
Concentration difficulty
 N95 mask 13 (38.2) 5 (14.7) 5 (14.7) 7 (20.6) 4 (11.8)
 Surgical mask 28 (82.4) 0 (0.0) 2 (5.9) 3 (8.8) 1 (2.9)
Fatigue
 N95 mask 13 (38.2) 3 (8.8) 4 (11.8) 4 (11.8) 10 (29.4)
 Surgical mask 28 (82.4) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9) 3 (8.8) 2 (5.9)
Dying sense
 N95 mask 31 (91.2) 1 (2.9) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 2 (5.9)
 Surgical mask 33 (97.1) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 1 (2.9)