Husband's sick....again

Hes been laid off for a few months so hes been home except an occasional store run. He went back to work on Tuesday and wore a real respirator most of the day. Not a mask. But he was around people at the job in a Plaine Mask. Today he says one side of his throat is really bothering him but he thinks it's because one side of his respirator isn't working and was clogged and not ducking in air. Which is the side his throat hurts. Is this possible? A sore throat from a respirator not working right? Or should I be freaking out???