A surgical mask, also known as a face mask, is intended to be worn by health professionals during healthcare procedures.It is designed to prevent infections in patients and treating personnel by catching bacteria shed in liquid droplets and aerosols from the wearer's mouth and nose.They are not designed to protect the wearer from breathing in airborne bacteria or viruses whose particles are smaller. With respect to some infections like influenza they appear as effective as respirators, such as N95 or FFP masks;though the latter provide better protection in laboratory experiments due to their material, shape and tight seal