Cold and Flu Etiquette
Do you remember your mother saying “cover your mouth when you cough”? Probably you do, because this exhortation accompanies the whole childhood. Maybe it is a kind of protest then, that in adulthood this simple rule is not followed by many. The British Department of Health now started a new campaign “Coughs and Sneezes spread Diseases” and calls for a better cold behaviour.
Sneezing or coughing without covering your mouth is annoying and unhygienic for your counterpart will directly be confronted with your germs and viruses. But not only a direct contact can lead to an infection, Prof Brian Duerden, Inspector of Microbiology and Infection Control said: “Many people don´t realise that a cold or flu virus can survive on the skin for several hours and thus spread to others, but they can easily be removed by regular hand washing.” But due a survey, one in ten people admitted to not always washing their hands before preparing food. And more than three in ten people said they would use a tissue at least two or three times before throwing it away.
Following findings such as this that show general attitudes and knowledge of effective coughing and sneezing etiquette are poor, a new Coughs and Sneezes spread Diseases campaign has been launched which should remind people of the importance of remembering that simple steps can help stop the spread of colds and flu to others.
The main messages of the campaign are: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, use disposable tissues and throw them away after using, clean your hands regularly – especially after coughing or sneezing.
The campaign is supported by posters which are distributed to health and public settings such as GP surgeries, health centres, pharmacies, schools, and workplaces. “This campaign will serve as a reminder of correct coughs and sneezes etiquette and will help people get into good hygiene habits. This is particularly important now, as February and March are the month of colds and influenza”, Prof Lindsey Davies, National Director of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, Department of Health said.
This article was published on 02/28/2007