Appendix B: Additional Information about Respirators

Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings

At a glance

Appendix B: Additional Information about Respirators from the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings guideline.

Additional Information about Respirators

  • A respirator is a personal protective device that is worn on the face, covers at least the nose and mouth, and is used to reduce the wearer's risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles (including dust particles and infectious agents), gases, or vapors.
  • A commonly used respirator is a filtering facepiece respirator (commonly referred to as an N95).
    • Respirators are certified by NIOSH, CDC.
    • N95 respirators may also be cleared by FDA as medical devices, depending on the intended use.
  • To work properly, respirators must be specially fitted for each person who wears one.
    • This is called "fit-testing" and is usually done in a workplace where respirators are used.
  • Respirator use must be in the context of a complete respiratory protection program in accordance with OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134.
  • HCP should be medically cleared and fit-tested if using respirators with tight-fitting facepieces (e.g., a NIOSH-certified disposable N95) and trained in proper respirator use, safe removal and disposal, and medical contraindications to use.
  • Additional resources:
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)