Parents' zone
What is good respiratory hygiene?
Viruses such as colds and flu are spread by germs which are too small to see.
Cold symptoms such as runny noses and cough and sneezes spread cold germs into the air. If these germs are breathed in by another person then they may become infected with the virus and ‘catch the cold’.
Hayfever has similar symptoms to a cold as it can cause a runny nose and sneezing too. This is caused through an allergy to pollen.
Germs are also spread by hand-to-face contact and by people touching objects which can be infected by one wiping his nose on his hand, etc. It happens very easily, so how can it be stopped?
An easy way to help counteract the spread of viruses is by using tissues correctly. Tissues should be used in the follow ways:
- For blowing a runny nose (not wiping)
- For covering the nose and mouth when sneezing
- For covering the mouth when coughing
Used tissues should be thrown away immediately and the hands washed or the virus could still be spread by touch. Tissues are more hygienic than handkerchiefs and should be carried at all times by people who have a virus.
