Cough and Sneeze Etiquette

For most people, they are lucky enough to have a common sense to realize this very basic of human nature. But for some people who aren't lucky enough, they lack this second nature of preventing their droplets from infecting other people around them.

These are the two things that i really feel strongly about. As a result, i always get negative responses from my friends whom i told off for not covering their mouth & nose while coughing or sneezing. Responses like, "Dah la..Kalau tak nak jangkit pegi duduk jauh2 sikit," or "Tu laa.. Sape suruh immune system kau lemah sangat.. Kan dah senang jangkit orang,"

It's not like i can keep a distance in such a crowded lecture hall; or can control my immune system for that matter. If i could i would. But they are the ones who are having control over the circumstances; by practicing the cough and sneeze etiquette. Call me verminophobic, but this is what u become after learning Microbiology for a year ;p

The respiratory route is a typical mode of transmission among many infectious agents. If an infected person coughs or sneezes on another person, the microorganisms may enter the body through the nose, mouth or eye surfaces. Diseases that are commonly spread by coughing or sneezing include (at least):

* Bacterial Meningitis
* Chickenpox
* Common cold
* Mumps
* Strep throat
* Tuberculosis
* Measles
* Rubella
* Whooping cough
* Influenza A & B
* SARS

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What is the right way to do so?

Most people just cover their mouths when they cough, but what do they cover it with? Their hands, right?

Wrong!

The right way is to turn their heads and cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue or the inside of their elbow if a tissue is unavailable. Why?

Well, if you think about it, you are covering your mouth when you cough to prevent germs from spreading. But if you cough on your hand, you are simply putting the germs on your hand, which will make it likely that you will spread those germs as you touch things, such as a door knob, pen, or other persons hand. And someone else can get sick if they touch one of those contaminated surfaces.

NO coughing or Sneezing without complete coverage… The cold virus is transmitted by atomized air that can jet out to 10 feet when you cough or sneeze.