N95
Medical abbreviation · Infectious Disease
| Stands for | N95 filtering facepiece respirator |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
N95 stands for N95 filtering facepiece respirator, an infectious disease abbreviation.
Tight-fitting disposable respirator certified by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to filter at least 95 percent of airborne particles of 0.3 microns. Healthcare workers wear N95s for airborne infections such as tuberculosis and measles, and during aerosol-generating procedures.
Example: Airborne precautions: fit-tested N95 required before entering room 412, suspected active TB.
Usage notes
The "N" means the filter is not resistant to oil; R and P ratings are oil-resistant and oil-proof. OSHA requires annual fit testing for workers who must wear them. Unlike surgical masks, which mainly protect others from the wearer, N95s protect the wearer. Shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic made the term familiar to the public.
Related abbreviations
More infectious disease abbreviations
- MDRO – Multidrug-resistant organism
- MERS – Middle East respiratory syndrome
- MIC – Minimum inhibitory concentration
- MRSA – Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- MSM – Men who have sex with men
- MSSA – Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus
- NHSN – National Healthcare Safety Network
- NSTI – Necrotizing soft tissue infection
- NTM – Nontuberculous mycobacteria
- OI – Opportunistic infection
- OPAT – Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy
- PAPR – Powered air-purifying respirator
See all 92 infectious disease abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.