title: [Air-borne disease].
abstract: Respiratory protection is a factor which worries nursing professionals who take care of patients susceptible of transmitting microorganisms through the air more as every day passes. This type of protection covers the use of surgical or hygienic masks against the transmission of infection by airborne drops to the use of highly effective masks or respirators against the transmission of airborne diseases such as tuberculosis or SARS, a recently discovered disease. The adequate choice of this protective device and its correct use are fundamental in order to have an effective protection for exposed personnel. The authors summarize the main protective respiratory devices used by health workers, their characteristics and degree of effectiveness, as well as the circumstances under which each device is indicated for use.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales, Hospital Meixoeiro, Vigo.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lameiro Vilariño
authors.forename: Victor M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: del Campo Pérez
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alonso Bürger
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Felpeto Nodar
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guimarey Pérez
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez Alvarellos
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009729:Nursing; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices