BACKGROUND Governments are preparing for a potential influenza pandemic. Therefore they need data to assess the possible impact of interventions. Face-masks worn by the general population could be an accessible and affordable intervention, if effective when worn under routine circumstances. METHODOLOGY We assessed transmission reduction potential provided by personal respirators, surgical mas...

Many countries are stockpiling face masks for use as a nonpharmaceutical intervention to control virus transmission during an influenza pandemic. We conducted a prospective cluster-randomized trial comparing surgical masks, non-fit-tested P2 masks, and no masks in prevention of influenza-like illness (ILI) in households. Mask use adherence was self-reported. During the 2006 and 2007 winter seas...

BACKGROUND Small volume nebulisers (SVNs) with masks commonly provide aerosol therapy for infants with lung diseases. However, infants and toddlers are often disturbed by and thus reject masks. AIMS To compare the lung deposition efficiency of the "usual" SVN aerosol mask and a prototype hood attached to an SVN. The advantage of the hood is that no mask is needed and medication can readily be...

Introduction Noninvasive ventilation is a safe and eff ective method to treat acute respiratory failure, minimizing the respiratory workload and oxygenation. Few studies compare the effi cacy of diff erent types of noninvasive ventilation interfaces and their adaptation. Objective To identify the most frequently noninvasive ventilation interfaces used and eventual problems related to their adap...

Introduction Noninvasive ventilation is a safe and eff ective method to treat acute respiratory failure, minimizing the respiratory workload and oxygenation. Few studies compare the effi cacy of diff erent types of noninvasive ventilation interfaces and their adaptation. Objective To identify the most frequently noninvasive ventilation interfaces used and eventual problems related to their adap...

Inhaled drugs are frequently given to infants and young children with a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) attached to a valved-holding chamber (VHC) with face mask. In young children and infants who cannot breathe through a mouthpiece, the face mask serves as the interface between the patient and the VHC. Although the mask interface is one of the most important factors determining the dos...

A 68 yr old woman presented with acute respiratory failure. She was suspected of having a phrenic-diaphragmatic impairment, without evidence of an intrinsic lung disease or generalized neuromuscular disorder, after 3 weeks of prolonged mechanical ventilation. A series of studies, including fluoroscopy, phrenic nerve stimulation test and diaphragmatic electromyography, was performed before the d...

Mechanically assisted intermittent positive-pressure ventilation effectively provides ventilatory support in patients with respiratory failure but it requires placing an artificial airway. We have previously reported our successful experience delivering mechanical ventilation via a face mask (FMMV) rather than with an endotracheal tube in a pilot study of patients with acute respiratory failure...