Face masks to prevent transmission of influenza virus: a systematic review

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 138; no. 4; pp. 449 - 456
• Main Authors: COWLING, B. J., ZHOU, Y., IP, D. K. M., LEUNG, G. M., AIELLO, A. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Clinical trials; Disease transmission; Epidemiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health care industry; Households; Humans; Hygiene; Infection Control - methods; Infections; Infectious disease control; infectious disease epidemiology; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical - prevention & control; Influenza; Influenza A virus; Influenza virus; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Influenza, Human - transmission; Intervention; Laboratories; Masks; Masks - statistics & numerical data; Mechanical ventilators; Medical supplies; Microbiology; Miscellaneous; Nurses; Orthomyxoviridae; Pandemics; Protective equipment; Public health; Respirators; Respiratory Protective Devices - statistics & numerical data; REVIEW ARTICLE; Social distancing; Systematic review; Virology; Viruses; Volunteers; Hong Kong China; China; influenza; Infectious disease control; infectious disease epidemiology; public health; Virus; Influenzavirus A; Influenza A virus; Taxonomy; Transmission; Orthomyxoviridae; Review; Epidemiology

Influenza viruses circulate around the world every year. From time to time new strains emerge and cause global pandemics. Many national and international health agencies recommended the use of face masks during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. We reviewed the English-language literature on this...