Health Tip: Prevent Passing Germs

(HealthDay News) -- Viruses that cause the common cold or flu are spread in droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes, a process the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls "droplet spread."

Virus- or bacteria-laden droplets also can spread disease when a person touches a contaminated surface, then touches their own eyes, nose or mouth, the agency says.

The CDC offers these suggestions to help prevent the spread of germs:

  • Always cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. Try to sneeze or cough into a tissue instead of your hands.
  • Wash your hands often, and make sure you spend about 20 seconds washing them. That's about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice, the agency notes.
  • Carry a bottle of hand sanitizer or hand-sanitizing wipes to wash your hands when you're not near a sink.
  • Teach children to follow these same practices.

    • Date Published: 09/16/2010

    Related Articles

    Is It a Cold, Flu or COVID? An Expert Helps You Sort It Out


    Experimental Nasal Spray Might Ward Off Multiple Viruses


    FDA Proposes Ban on a 'Useless' Decongestant, Phenylephrine


    Search Articles

    How To Fight Common Wintertime Respiratory Viruses

    Is It a Cold, Flu or COVID? An Expert Helps You Sort It Out

    Experimental Nasal Spray Might Ward Off Multiple Viruses

    Sleepy Nurses Vulnerable To Common Cold, Other Infectious Diseases

    Saltwater Drops in Nose Could Shorten Kids' Colds

    How To Fight Common Wintertime Respiratory Viruses

    Universal Flu Vaccine Blocks Infection in Mice

    Moderna’s New Flu Shot Shows Strong Results in Older Adults

    Local Outbreaks Can Motivate The Vaccine-Hesitant, Poll Finds

    CDC Reports Potentially Troublesome Mutations in Bird Flu Found in Louisiana Patient