Unmasking the confusion of respiratory protection to prevent influenza-like illness in crowded community settings.

摘要

The 2009 novel influenza A(H IN 1) (hereafter "nHlNl") pandemic has sparked renewed interest in, and controversy regarding, the use of respiratory protection to reduce influenza transmission. Use of masks to prevent influenza generally applies to 2 populations: health care workers (HCWs) providing care for patients with proven or suspected influenza to both protect the HCW and prevent nosocomial transmission to high-risk patients; and persons in certain community settings, such as in households of individuals at high risk for influenza complications.