Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center

Swine Flu (H1N1) and Face Masks

How to Use a Face Mask During a Swine Flu Pandemic

• Don't rely on a face mask as your only protection. Avoid crowds, avoid close contact with sick people, and wash your hands often -- even if you wear a mask. And to protect others if you're sick, observe cough/sneeze etiquette and stay home.
• Before putting on a face mask, wash your hands thoroughly.
• Don't touch the outside of the face mask while you're wearing it or when you take it off.
• Use disposable face masks only once, then -- holding them by the bands or ties, not the front of the mask -- throw them in the trash. Don't let the used mask touch anything else.
• After taking off a face mask, wash your hands thoroughly.
• Before reusing a fabric face mask (note that these are NOT approved by the FDA), wash it in normal laundry detergent and tumble dry in a hot dryer.