In the course of routine vaccination and health protection, gloves are seen by many as a “insulation” of exposure to the infection, and it is argued that “the presence of gloves would completely avoid exposure to the infection”. However, this is a mistake, and let us open the truth together.
First, the material and quality of gloves are key factors. The range of gloves on the market is wide, with rubber gloves, plastic gloves and cotton gloves common. Small pathogens such as viral particles, bacterial sprouts, etc. are likely to penetrate the glove in contact with the hand if the glove material itself has micro-pores or cracks. A number of poor-quality rubber gloves are not crafty in the production process and may contain tiny holes that are difficult to detect in the naked eye, thus providing an opportunity for the invasion of pathogens. Even gloves of good quality, used for long periods of time or in a high-intensity working environment, may experience wear and tear, rupture and loss of protective function. For example, when medical personnel perform high-intensity medical operations, gloves are frequently frictioned, and if they are not replaced in a timely manner, they are vulnerable to damage and increased risk of infection.
The way in which gloves are worn cannot be ignored. If gloves are not properly worn, e.g. if the wrist is not fully covered, there is still a passage between the skin of the hand and the outside environment, and the pathogen can easily bypass the gloves and contact the skin. When the gloves are removed, if they are not properly operated, such as touching the outside side of the glove directly with the hand with the gloves, the pathogen that was attached to the glove would be contaminated to the hand, thereby causing infection. In the course of this process, a slight inaccuracies in the hand may result in the destruction of the barrier and the destruction of the previous efforts.
Furthermore, gloves are not resistant to all types of pathogens. For certain particular pathogens, such as the thorium virus, the structure is unique and highly resistant, and it is difficult for conventional gloves to provide effective protection. The thorium virus survives in a bad environment, and even if gloves are able to block most bacteria and viruses, it can be exposed to the thorium virus, which leads to infection. Furthermore, some chemically harmful substances, such as certain high concentrations of toxic gases or corrosive liquids, gloves may only provide short, limited protection and may still cause harm to humans through gloves in long or high concentrations.
In practical terms, in hospital settings, health-care personnel, while wearing gloves, are still required to strictly follow a range of protective norms, such as frequent change of gloves, hand-smoking, etc., to reduce the risk of infection. In everyday life, for example, when travelling in public transport, people wear gloves to touch the arm, seat, etc., but then they touch their nose, mouth, eyes, etc. with gloves, and do not change gloves or clean their hands in a timely manner, which is also not effective in avoiding the spread of infection. In the food-processing industry, where practitioners rely only on gloves and neglect the cleaning and replacement of gloves, the risk of food contamination by pathogens remains, threatening the health of consumers.
So how do we use gloves to protect ourselves? In the selection of gloves, products of good quality and appropriate material should be selected. For example, in medical settings, rubber gloves that meet medical standards are usually selected and are more secure in terms of protection and safety. Before wearing gloves, ensure that the hand is clean and dry, that it is worn in the correct manner and that the gloves are fully covered by the hand and wrist. During use, gloves are avoided from exposure to potentially contaminated areas before exposure to clean areas or their own mucous membranes. Once the gloves are broken, contaminated or used for a certain period of time, they shall be replaced immediately. When gloves are replaced, it is essential that hand-cleaning is performed to remove pathogens that may remain on hand.
In short, wearing gloves is only a part of the protection against infection, and it is not a “gold bell mask” that is inexhaustible. We need to properly understand the protective effects and limitations of gloves, using a combination of means of protection, such as good hand hygiene, regular change of gloves and improved environmental clean-up, to be more effective in preventing the spread of infection and safeguarding the health of ourselves and others.
