In this trial of 446 nurses (in the ED or medical/pediatric wards) caring for patients with a febrile respiratory illness during last year’s influenza season, they were randomized to wearing a fit-tested N95 respirator or a surgical mask during direct patient care. The rate of lab-confirmed influenza was no different between the groups (22.9% vs 23.6%). A surgical mask confers equal protection as an N95 respirator in protecting against influenza infection, during routine direct patient care (abstract).
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