Dr Chris Steele gives advice on how to prevent catching - and spreading - colds and flu.

Coughs and Sneezes cause diseases!

Did you know that when you sneeze 5,000 droplets are propelled into the air at 60 m.p.h., reaching 30 feet away (length of a London bus)!

That's the basis for the old saying "Coughs and sneezes spread diseases" - beacause it's true.

At this time of the year we should all be taking extra care to do what we can to prevent the spread of colds and flu - and reduce our chances of being infected.

It's good manners too - sneezing or coughing without covering your mouth is more annoying than people talking loudly on their mobile phone and more annoying than people who don't say please and thank you - yet nearly half of people do not always carry a tissue outside the home, a new survey found.

A new (Winter 2007) campaign by the UK Department of Health is aiming to remind us all of good habits when it comes to stopping the spread of colds and flu.

Three things we should all do:
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
  • Use disposable tissues and throw them away afterwards in a bin
  • Clean your hands regularly - especially after coughing and sneezing
These are messages that we should be teaching to our children - good habits last a lifetime and can help keep you healthy. Nearly half of us get two or more colds a year, but there are ways to ensure we don’t suffer from the inevitable cold. By taking the above steps, you can reduce your - and other people’s - chances of getting a cold or flu.

And here's what the experts say about this:
"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. This is why respiratory hygiene is so important. You can reduce your chances of transmitting a cold or flu virus, and may even prevent catching the infection in the first place by: always covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue, binning the tissue afterwards and ensuring that you regularly clean your hands".
Professor Brian Duerden, Inspector of Microbiology and Infection Control.

And Dr Chris says:
"The coughs and sneezes campaign highlights how basic measures like using a tissue really help to prevent the spread of germs. Flu and cold viruses are infectious diseases that can easily be caught from direct or indirect contact when a person with flu coughs and sneezes.

It is important for the public to remember that flu can occur at any time and not just during the cold winter months, so it is wise that they take the basic precautions highlighted in the campaign."
This content was created on Mon 26 February 2007

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