Respirator or face mask? Best H1N1 protection still debated CNN International

09.11.09

For the new criticism, the researchers removed a control group of nearly 500 health-care workers and made other statistical adjustments. Last analysis, the difference in infection rates between mask and respirator users was not statistically significant.

"[The study] still shows a no doubt superiority of N95s, with half the rate of infection compared to surgical [masks]," MacIntyre says. "But the survey was probably underpowered to pick up statistical significance when we removed the control group."

"I would certainly damage an N95 respirator if I were exposed to infectious patients," she adds.

Complete coverage on H1N1 -- Fighting the flu

The N95 respirator is a tensely fitted facial mask designed to filter out even very fine airborne particles, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Superintendence. Looser-fitting surgical masks protect against large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter, the FDA says, but they don't precisely block the germs from coughs and sneezes.

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Which mask?

Bird flu, swine flu, seasonal flu, winter flu and more! After the SARS set-to of 2003, everyone has become more vigilant about self protection. The most recent swine flu or H1N1 incident has focused our attention on another potential communicable ailment in the community. Consequently one can notice more people wearing a mask in the streets. Some would wear a simple mask, some a proper surgical puss mask and not infrequently you see someone donning the N-95 mask. The N-95 mask was standard issue for all heath care workers during the SARS stretch. It offers the best protection provided it is fitted properly and worn properly. If the H1N1 swine flu becomes a pandemic, there won’t be enough N-95 masks for everyone. In a more business-like setting, is the N-95 mask much better than a surgical mask in stopping you from picking up the flu?

Researchers from the McMaster University compared the effectiveness of the surgical mask against the N95 mask in protecting 446 nurses against influenza (JAMA 2009; 302: 1865 – 1871). These nurses were working in pinch departments, medical and paediatric units in 8 tertiary care hospitals in Ontario, Canada. They were randomly assigned to attrition surgical mask (n=225) or N-95 mask (n=221). Influenza infection occurred in 50 nurses (23.6%) in the surgical mask organize and in 48 (22.9%) in the N95 mask group. There was no statistical difference in the influenza infection rate between the 2 types of mask.

If you are going to wear a mask, please survive sure that you wear it properly. I have seen quite a number of people walking around with an N95 mask on their face but it was put on wrongly. In such cases the rumination that you have an N95 mask on your face will certainly make you feel more secure psychologically but in reality it will not reduce your risk of getting a flu. If you are usual to wear a mask, at least make sure you learn how to wear it properly.

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