Surgical Masks or face masks are disposable devices used to cover the nose and mouth during surgery or to help protect a person from breathing in microorganisms like viruses and bacteria.
Surgical masks can be used to help prevent the spread of potentially pandemic influenza like the swine flu. The FDA recommends Surgical N95 respirators but warns that they "will not fully protect you from acquiring an infection" and advises people to cover their mouths while coughing and thorough hand-washing.FDA.gov: Personal Protective Equipment - Masks and N95 Respirators
Control of Pandemic Flu
- Wear a face mask if you are sick and have contact with other peopleCDC: What You Should Know...
- Wear a face mask is you live with someone who has the fluCDC: What You Should Know...
- Wear a face mask if you are in a crowded placeCDC: What You Should Know...
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Fast Facts
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The FDA and CDC recommends the N95 respirator
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N95 filtering respirators are better than regular surgical masks because they protect against the tiniest particlesYouTube Video: FDA Clears First Respirator for General Use
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Are disposable
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Can help prevent the spread of viruses, influenza and bacteria
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Useful in protecting the nasal passageways from inhaling airborne communicable diseases
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Face masks can stop larger particles such as droplets but do not protect against smaller particlesCDC: What You Should Know...
