Barrier garments protecting health care workers from fluids carrying blood borne diseases are crucial and the major requirements are noted. Technologies are briefly reviewed. Protection, comfort and cost are the principal demands. Several approaches are discussed increase in basic weight, more hydrophibic fibre, bondings/coatings and breathability. Lower denier fibres is another major trend and this is explored with reference to Kimberly-Clarks SMS fabrics. Equipment cost is the major disadvantage due to low tthroughput limitation in the meltblown process. The high-speed spunbond process is described and the advanced properties which accrue. Additives and higher processing speeds are also advantages. Bicomponent splittable fibres are discussed, producing soft, highly pliable fabric with excellent barrier properties. This will be combined in the near future with spunbond fabrics to improve cost benefits Evolon from Frendenberg is an example. Electrostatic spinning and bicomponent spinning of island fibres in another polymer are other developments which are examined.