This article is intended to provide practicing clinicians an overview of personal respiratory protection, with a focus on the use of respirators for protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). The use of personal respirators is the most controversial component of the recent “Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Facilities, 1994” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).<sup>14 CDC Guidelines for preventing the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health-care facilities, 1994 MMWR 1994 ;  43 (RR-13) :

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> I present the theoretical bases for the use of personal respiratory protection for the prevention of occupational tuberculosis—i.e., tuberculosis acquired in the work place by health care workers (HCWs). I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various types of respirators, the limitations of the use of respirators in health care settings, and current regulatory issues regarding respirators and tuberculosis. Finally, I suggest a practical approach to the use of respirators in a health care setting.