The N-95 mask or PAPR hood is SINGLE USE ONLY when being used for flu protection. There is no way to decontaminate the face plate that is why it must be discarded.

Multiple use for TB precautions remains the standard but SINGLE USE ONLY for flu precautions because: Flu is delivered on large droplets that fall after leaving the body and can be carried in any nasal or upper respiratory secretions. When these contaminate items in the environment, the flu “bug” is easily picked up on hands, etc. and just needs to be in contact with another’s mucous membrane to attach itself and cause infection. The Flu virus DOES NOT need to reach the smallest areas of the lung to cause infection. In order for the TB organism to cause infection it needs to be aerosolized on a tiny mist droplet or tiny dust particle that can be inhaled and get past the mucous membranes, without being caught up in the mucus, and land in the small alveoli (sacs) at the of the bronchioles.