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Respiratory protection: what SARS-CoV-2 has taught us
1Departments of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|June 1, 2023
Summary
This review found no clear evidence that N95 respirators offer superior protection against SARS-CoV-2 compared to surgical masks. Both mask types can be considered for respiratory protection for healthcare workers.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The use of respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been a subject of significant debate.
- Understanding the comparative effectiveness of different PPE is crucial for healthcare worker safety and infection control.
Approach:
- This review synthesizes existing epidemiological evidence regarding the efficacy of respiratory PPE for SARS-CoV-2.
- It critically evaluates findings from observational studies and randomized controlled trials, including those not specifically focused on COVID-19 and a recent trial on COVID-19.
Key Points:
- Observational studies and non-COVID-19 randomized trials did not establish N95 respirators as definitively superior to surgical masks for protection.
- A specific randomized controlled trial for COVID-19 indicated similar absolute risk over time for healthcare workers using surgical masks versus N95 respirators.
Conclusions:
- The evidence suggests that both surgical masks and N95 respirators are viable options for respiratory protection among healthcare workers.
- Further research may be warranted to explore nuances in specific settings or for different risk levels.
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