Types of masks and respirators

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (U.S.). Division of Viral Diseases.
• Description:
  Updated May 11, 2023
  
  This page describes different types of masks and respirators that you can use to protect yourself and others from getting and spreading COVID-19. Masks and respirators can provide varying degrees of protection, with well-fitting National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators offering the most protection. Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask. This page presents options in order of least to most protective. To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.
  
  
• Content Notes:
  Masks -- Choosing a Mask or Respirator for Different Situations -- Respirators -- Considerations for Children -- Alternative Masks for Special Situations
• Subjects:
  Coronavirus Infections/prevention & Control COVID-19/prevention & Control Masks N95 Respirators Pandemics Respiratory Protective Devices
• Document Type:
  Webpage
• Collection(s):
  Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:99afd5cea6f46e49b25cbc17cfd4298e0e22e9476e45bc02e942b4b5606a0ffa
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/133883/cdc_133883_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.50 MB ]