When tuberculosis is suspected, EMS personnel should wear which mask?

When tuberculosis is suspected, EMS personnel should wear which mask?

• A. Surgical mask
• B. Cloth mask
• C. No mask
• D. N95/HEPA mask

Answer: (D)

TB spreads through tiny airborne particles that can linger in the air, so protection must filter these aerosols and seal to the face. An N95 respirator is designed to do exactly that, filtering at least 95% of airborne particles when it’s properly fitted and a seal check is performed. This is why it’s the appropriate choice when TB is suspected. Surgical masks are loose-fitting and mainly protect others from large droplets; they don’t reliably filter small aerosols and don’t provide a proper seal. Cloth masks offer even less protection. Going without a mask is dangerous because inhaling infectious aerosols is possible. In short, the N95 respirator (or equivalent high-filtration respirator) is necessary to protect yourself from TB when it’s suspected.

TB spreads through tiny airborne particles that can linger in the air, so protection must filter these aerosols and seal to the face. An N95 respirator is designed to do exactly that, filtering at least 95% of airborne particles when it’s properly fitted and a seal check is performed. This is why it’s the appropriate choice when TB is suspected.

Surgical masks are loose-fitting and mainly protect others from large droplets; they don’t reliably filter small aerosols and don’t provide a proper seal. Cloth masks offer even less protection. Going without a mask is dangerous because inhaling infectious aerosols is possible. In short, the N95 respirator (or equivalent high-filtration respirator) is necessary to protect yourself from TB when it’s suspected.