title: A quantitative assessment of the efficacy of surgical and N95 masks to filter influenza virus in patients with acute influenza infection.
abstract: We assessed the in vivo efficacy of surgical and N95 (respirator) masks to filter reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-detectable virus when worn correctly by patients with laboratory-confirmed acute influenza. Of 26 patients with a clinical diagnosis of influenza, 19 had the diagnosis confirmed by RT-PCR, and 9 went on to complete the study. Surgical and N95 masks were equally effective in preventing the spread of PCR-detectable influenza.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Druce
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Grayson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral