Many People Do Not Cover Mouth While Coughing

While health officials often urge covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, a new report suggests that less than 25 percent do so, increasing the risk of spreading various infectious diseases.

According to the study whose findings were presented during the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases, in Atlanta, Georgia, just one in four people cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing in public with less than 5 percent doing it correctly.

Health experts suggest that you should use a tissue or the crook of your elbow to cover your mouth instead of using your palm so that the germs do not get transferred to other places when you touch them.

"This study showed a low prevalence of recommended respiratory hygiene behaviors suggesting that hygiene messages promoted in mass media campaigns have not been seen and/or have not been readily adopted by the public in this city", lead researcher Nick Wilson said.


Source: Medindia