Under what circumstance should a respirator be worn?

A respirator should be worn when there is a potential exposure to airborne diseases. This is crucial in ensuring both the healthcare worker's and the patient's safety. Airborne diseases can be transmitted through tiny respiratory droplets that remain suspended in the air, which typical masks cannot filter effectively. Respirators, particularly N95 respirators or higher, are designed to fit snugly and filter out these harmful particulates, providing a higher degree of protection.

In healthcare settings, this is especially important during procedures that may aerosolize droplets or when caring for patients with known airborne infections such as tuberculosis, measles, or COVID-19. In other scenarios, such as handling cleaning materials or caring for a patient with a common cold, standard precautions, including the use of surgical masks or proper ventilation, may suffice, but they do not require the specialized protection that a respirator provides.