3.2.3.2: Cough and Sneeze Etiquette

Staff members and children should be taught to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Staff members and children should also be taught to cough or sneeze into their inner elbow/upper sleeve and to avoid covering the nose or mouth with bare hands. Hand hygiene, as specified in Standards 3.2.2.1 and 3.2.2.2, should follow a cough or sneeze that could result in the spread of respiratory droplets to the skin.

RATIONALE

Proper respiratory etiquette can prevent transmission of respiratory pathogens (1).

COMMENTS

Multi-lingual videos, posters, and handouts should be part of an active educational effort of caregivers/teachers and children to reinforce this practice. For free downloadable posters and flyers in multiple languages, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm.

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

3.2.2.1 Situations that Require Hand Hygiene
3.2.2.2 Handwashing Procedure
3.2.2.3 Assisting Children with Hand Hygiene
3.2.2.5 Hand Sanitizers

REFERENCES

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010. Seasonal flu: Cover your cough. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm.