Have a few N95 masks on hand, but don’t bust them out until they’re needed.

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RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—You’ve probably seen pictures of people in Mexico walking around wearing masks to protect themselves from the new H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu. But do they really work, or do they just make you look like a germophobe? And does it matter what kind you wear?

THE DETAILS: Last week, the World Health Organization raised the H1N1 pandemic alert level to 5, which means a worldwide pandemic is “imminent.” Before you get nervous, be aware that “pandemic” means an illness spreads across the globe, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the illness will kill or seriously sicken huge numbers of people. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said masks and respirators could play a role in protecting against the flu. The trick is knowing when and how to use them.

Flu masks come in two forms:

Surgical masks, like the kind doctors wear in the O.R., are thin, cheap, and must be tossed after they become damp from your breath, which usually happens within a few hours. Because they fit loosely against your face, they aren’t as effective at blocking germs that you might breathe in as they are at stopping germs you breathe out (if you’re sick) from infecting other people.

Respirator or “N95” masks are thicker, and are held against your face with elastic straps. They’re labeled N9” on the package, and sometimes on the mask itself. Outside of healthcare settings, they’re worn by people cleaning or doing home improvement projects, since they filter out dust and other particles. They’re more expensive than surgical masks, but they can be reused as long as they aren’t soiled, damaged, or wet.

Do they work? The general consensus is that the masks may lower your risk in certain situations. But you shouldn’t rely solely on masks or any other single method of defense. “If events reach the point where there’s a lot of influenza in the community, and you had to go out, you might consider wearing one because it offers another layer of protection,” says William Schaffner, MD, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and president-elect of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “But just because you have a mask on, don’t think you’re completely protected.”

Research is sparse and contradictory when it comes to exactly how well these masks protect people from catching the flu in public settings. Using a mask at home if a family member is ill may be a more reliable strategy. An Australian study published earlier this year found that in households with children suffering from the regular flu or a cold, parents who wore masks were 4 times less likely to contract the disease.

WHAT IT MEANS: Flu masks may help if there’s a flu outbreak in your area, or if someone in your home is sick. But you’ll need to take other steps, too.

Here’s your 3-pronged approach to protecting yourself against the new flu.

• Listen to the wisdom of your mom. Wash your hands with warm water and regular soap (you don’t need antibacterial versions) often throughout the day, for at least 15 seconds. It’s your best tactic for prevention. In addition, keep your hands out of your eyes, nose, and mouth to keep germs out of your systems. And if you’re experiencing symptoms of H1N1—a fever, coughing, sore throat, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea—stay at home and call your doctor. For the most part, cases in the United States have been mild, and many patients recovered without using antiviral drugs.

• Keep your distance. The flu virus is most often transmitted through droplets that travel anywhere from 3 to 6 feet when people talk, sing, sneeze, or cough, explains Michael B. Edmond, MD, MPH, MPA, professor, chair of the division of infectious diseases and hospital epidemiologist for the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. To cut back on your chances of becoming infected, stay out of crowded situations as much as possible if there’s influenza in your community.

• Get a mask in advance. Edmond notes that in the SARS outbreak, healthcare workers who wore masks had lower chances of getting SARS than those who didn’t. Companies are ramping up production to meet demand, but it’s still hard to find them in some areas. If you’d like to be on the safe side, try to get your hands on masks now in case the new flu creeps into your community. Look in pharmacies, medical supply stores, hardware stores (N95s are used to filter out certain dust particles), or shop online from a trusted source. And remember, masks are only useful if there’s sickness in your area. “If there’s no disease in the community, wearing the mask isn’t going to prevent anything,” says Edmond.

• Know how to use them.

Surgical masks: If someone is sick with suspected H1N1 in your home, he or she should spend most of the time in a sickroom and wear a surgical mask when outside of it.

N95 masks: If there’s an outbreak in your area and you have to go out, this type of mask is probably the better choice. Position the mask over your nose and mouth, and mold its edges to the outline of your face so they touch your skin. “When you breathe in, you’ll notice that your work of breathing is harder,” explains Schaffner. “That means the mask is working.” Wash your hands before you put the mask on or take it off.