As the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza seasons progress this fall and winter, you may see more individuals, especially health care workers, wearing protective masks.

Although seeing a health care worker wearing a mask can be startling, it should actually provide you with a level of comfort.  It's a sign your health care providers are protecting themselves from the flu and in turn protecting their patients. 

Masks help decrease the spread of influenza in health care settings and you may be asked to wear one if you are coughing and sneezing.