Recommendations for facemask/respirator use to reduce transmission
Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing the risk of influenza infection in community settings is extremely limited. In the absence of clear scientific data, the interim recommendations below have been developed on the basis of public health judgment, the historical use of facemasks and respirators in other settings for preventing transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses and on current information on the spread and severity of the novel swine flu virus. Facemasks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them. They also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the facemask. They are not designed to protect against breathing in very small particle aerosols that may contain viruses. Facemasks should be used once and then thrown away in the trash. A respirator or N95 is designed to protect the person by filtering out virus-containing small particle aerosols that can be generated by an infected person, but compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through a respirator for long periods of time. Respirators are not recommended for children or people who have facial hair. Following is the CDC interim recommendations for facemask and respirator use for home, community, and occupational settings for non-ill persons to prevent infection with novel H1N1. For non-high risk persons, facemask/respirator is not recommended. Persons at increased risk of severe illness from influenza, facemask/respirator is not recommended in community where there is not crowded setting. If the community setting is crowded then first try to avoid the setting. If it is unavoidable then consider facemask or respirator. The caregivers who are in non-high risk group to person with influenza-like illness as well as other family members do not need to wear facemask/respirator. If caregiver is in high risk group, facemask/respirator is then needed only. Healthcare professionals caring for persons with known, probable or suspected novel H1N1 or influenza-like illness need to wear respirator. If the virus is circulating in community even then facemask/respirator is not recommended usually but could be considered under certain circumstances where there is great risk of transmitting the virus.
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