Influenza and other respiratory viruses
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Influenza Other Respi Viruses · Nov 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe efficacy of medical masks and respirators against respiratory infection in healthcare workers.
We aimed to examine the efficacy of medical masks and respirators in protecting against respiratory infections using pooled data from two homogenous randomised control clinical trials (RCTs). ⋯ The results suggest that the classification of infections into droplet versus airborne transmission is an oversimplification. Most guidelines recommend masks for infections spread by droplets. N95 respirators, as "airborne precautions," provide superior protection for droplet-transmitted infections. To ensure the occupational health and safety of healthcare worker, the superiority of respirators in preventing respiratory infections should be reflected in infection control guidelines.