How to Cover Your Coughing

Serious illnesses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, whooping cough and severe acute respiratory syndrome are spread by coughing, sneezing and other airborne methods, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The common cold is also transmitted through the air. Not covering your cough correctly can spread these diseases to others, especially young children and people with compromised immune systems. Additionally, not only is it considered poor hygiene to cough into the open air, it is also impolite. Even if you are not sick with an airborne illness, you should still cover a cough.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue
• Soap or antibacterial hand sanitizer

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Instructions

• 1

  Raise a tissue to your mouth when you feel you are about to cough. Your upper shirtsleeve or elbow will suffice if you do not have a tissue.

• 2

  Cover your nose and mouth completely with the available barrier.

• 3

  Cough into your coverage medium without losing contact with your nose and mouth.

• 4

  Place the tissue in a wastebasket.

• 5

  Wash your hands for 20 seconds or rub them with an antibacterial hand sanitizer.