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. In the long run, the difference in infection rates between mask and respirator users was not statistically significant.

"[The study] still shows a likely ascendancy of N95s, with half the rate of infection compared to surgical [masks]," MacIntyre says. "But the look was probably underpowered to pick up statistical significance when we removed the control group."

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

Complete coverage on H1N1 -- Fighting the flu

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

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Respirator Mask News

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