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Protocol for Covering Coughing and Sneezing

A variety of illnesses caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs, including the flu, the common cold, whooping cough and other respiratory illnesses, are most commonly spread by coughs, sneezes and unclean hands . Avoid spreading germs that can infect others or reinfect you and prolong your illness by following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) protocol for covering coughs and sneezes and preventing the spread of germs in general.

  1. Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes

    • When you cough or sneeze, cover both your mouth and nose with a tissue and immediately throw the used tissue away. If there is no tissue available, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow instead of your hands. If you sneeze into your hands, germs are transferred there and then transferred further to any objects you touch thereafter. In addition to covering your coughs and sneezes, do your best to always cough or sneeze away from others.

    Clean Your Hands

    • Always wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water after you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands for 20 seconds, strongly rubbing your hands together to scrub every surface and remove germs. Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, whether in disposable wipe or gel form, with you in case soap and water are not available. When using a gel sanitizer, rub the gel into your hands until they are dry.

    Prevent Spreading Germs in Other Ways

    • Germs can live on surfaces for over two hours, so avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when you are sick so that you don"t transfer germs from your hands onto other surfaces you may touch. Clean your hands frequently, not just after you cough or sneeze, in case you subconsciously touch your face. Never share eating utensils, drinking glasses or any other personal items with others when you are sick. Visit your doctor for treatment, stay at home and get plenty of rest, especially if you have symptoms of the flu, including high fever, headaches, extreme fatigue, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches and nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

    Stay Healthy

    • Even when you're healthy, take similar preventative measures to avoid catching and spreading germs, as not everyone who is sick may follow the CDC's protocol for preventing the spread of germs. The best way to prevent catching the flu and other respiratory illnesses is to get flu and pneumonia vaccines, especially during flu season.

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