Preventing Influenza Transmission: Is Surgical Mask Comparable To N95 Respirator?

In a new original article reported in JAMA this week (1st October 2009), a randomized trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness of surgical masks and N95 respirators to confer protection against influenza for healthcare workers. This article can be downloaded free here.As many have known, transmission of influenza can occur by coughing or sneezing through the inhalation route of the