Covering your coughs and sneezes together with proper hand hygiene can prevent the spread of respiratory diseases such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough and severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS, the same virus family that causes COVID-19.
Germs and viruses can easily spread from the droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets which contain the virus particles can spread from person to person through direct contact and can contaminate surfaces and objects. Some people may become infected through touching these contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching their faces without washing their hands.
Now more than ever, with the increasing COVID-19 cases in the country, it is a must to practice respiratory hygiene to break the chains of COVID-19 transmission. Help stop the spread of germs and viruses with proper cough and sneeze etiquette:
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing so others will not catch your germs. Use a handkerchief or tissue.
- Okay to cover your mouth and nose when someone near you coughs or sneezes. There is nothing wrong with being cautious.
- Use tissue or paper when spitting, then throw it into the waste can. Do not spit on the ground or on the soil.
- Give importance to proper hand washing after you cough or sneeze. Clean also the space between your fingers.
- Have your clothes as an alternative if without a tissue or handkerchief. You can also cough or sneeze into your sleeve or inside your shirt. The germs would spread when you cough on your hands and touch other people or things.
Wash your hands often especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Wash your hands with soap and clean water for 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available. If you are sick, put on a facemask to protect others.
Let us do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory-related diseases. Practice good hygiene when coughing and sneezing to keep you and other people safe from infection. Follow the minimum health standards at home and in the workplace and together, let us beat this COVID-19 pandemic.
Written by: NOII Theresa A. Rivas and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
References:
- https://healthengine.com.au/info/cough-and-sneeze-etiquette
- https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/disease/respiratoryic.html
- Department of Health (DOH). (2012). Philippine Health Advisories
Related article:
"Handwashing saves lives, make it a habit" - https://www.nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/luzon/national-capital-region/4175-wash-hands-save-lives
