Influenza is spread by virus particles that enter the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. As a result, people believe that flu face masks, also known as surgical masks or medical masks, may be an effective barrier against transmission of the disease. While medical professionals feel that these face masks should not be expected to function as a first line of defense, they may be useful in some circumstances. This page can help you learn how to get a flu face mask, if you feel that they would be helpful to you or your family.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.

• Photos from China during the SARS epidemic in 2003 show people going about the business with the lower half of their faces covered by a surgical mask. The mask has become an emblem of an epidemic, and the U.S. government has stockpiled masks as part of it's emergency preparedness programs. Concern about swine flu may have interested you in getting masks for your family.

(Creative Commons photo by shubuya246)

• A U.S government panel has stated that while surgical masks may be of some help in avoiding infection during a flu pandemic, they should be considered a last line of defense, after practices such as isolation of infected individuals, closing public places, and hand washing. Flu particles may be small enough to pass through a face mask, so they do not provide guaranteed protection against infection.Washington Post: Face Masks Analyzed As Aid in Flu Pandemic (April 28, 2006)

• The CDC recommends that, regardless of whether or not a mask is worn, the best way to avoid contracting swine flu is to limit contact with infected individuals.CDC: Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use.. (April 27. 2009) Additionally, the CDC recommends that:

1. People at high risk for complications from swine flu should where masks if they attend public events in areas where H1N1 has been reported. If several cases of H1N1 have been confirmed, high risk individuals should avoid public gatherings, rather than rely on masks for protection.CDC: Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use.. (April 27. 2009) High risk individuals include:
   1. Children under 5 years oldCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   2. Adults over 65 years oldCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   3. Residents of nursing homes and chronic care facilitiesCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   4. Children and teenagers who are on a regimen of aspirin therapyCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   5. Patients with chronic illnessesCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   6. Immunosuppressed patientsCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   7. Women who are pregnantCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
2. Face masks are not recommended for people who are not at high risk of complications in general pubic settings.CDC: Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use.. (April 27. 2009)
3. Respirators should be worn by anyone caring for an individual with confirmed H1N1.CDC: Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use.. (April 27. 2009)

Wear a face mask if you're caring for a sick individual(Creative Commons photo by Alicia)

• There are several types of flu face masks available.

1. Surgical masks, sometimes referred to as medical masks, are made of soft cloth, and tie behind the head. They are inexpensive, costing about 15 cents each.Washington Post: Face Masks Analyzed As Aid in Flu Pandemic (April 28, 2006) The CDC recommends face masks be used to protect an individual in crowd settings.CDC: Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use.. (April 27. 2009)
2. Respirators, also called N95 respirators, are made of spun plastic fibers to produce a rigid cuplike device that fits more snugly than a surgical mask, and are designed to filter out more particles than surgical masks. They cost between $1 and $3 a mask.Washington Post: Face Masks Analyzed As Aid in Flu Pandemic (April 28, 2006) The CDC recommends respirators to be used by individuals who are in close contact with an infected person, including health care workers or family members caring for a person with swine flu.CDC: Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use.. (April 27. 2009)

• While the government has stockpiled masks, and will release them for distribution to the public, you may wish to purchase your own ahead of time. It is not known whether or not washing masks reduces their effectiveness, so you should consider them a disposable single use product.Washington Post: Face Masks Analyzed As Aid in Flu Pandemic (April 28, 2006)
  • Galloway: Swine Flu Protection
  • Amazon.com: N95 Respirator and Surgical Mask
  • 3M: Surgical Masks
  • Masks n More: N95 Health Care Particulate Respirator
  • Metro: Soft Touch II Pleated Surgical Masks with Ties
  • Makrite Industries Inc.: Surgical Masks