Flu News: Do face masks help?

Face masks are loose-fitting, disposable masks that cover the nose and mouth.

Face masks may help most by stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them when they sneeze or cough. They also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the face mask.

They are not designed to protect against breathing in very small particles. Face masks should be used once and then thrown away in the trash. Use care not to touch the exposed portion of the mask.

Respirators (for example, an N95 or higher filtering face-piece respirator) is designed to protect people from breathing in very small particles, which might contain viruses.

Respirators fit tightly to the face so that most air is inhaled through the filter material. To work most effectively, N95 respirators must be specially fitted for each person who wears one (this is called "fit-testing" and is usually done in a workplace where respirators are used).

Like surgical masks, N95 respirators should be worn only once and then thrown away in the trash.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, household use of face masks is ... ineffective for controlling seasonal respiratory disease. However, during a severe pandemic when use of face masks might be greater, pandemic transmission in households could be reduced.

Source: U.S. government
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/vaccine/mask....