Download Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette

June 2012
Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
To prevent transmission of respiratory infections in any environment, it is important to
employ the following infection controls measures at the first point of contact with
potentially infected persons.
1. Social Distancing
Social distancing minimizes the kind of contact that enables the transmission of
infectious agent.
 Avoid close contact with others if you are sick (maintain a distance of 2 meters)
 Avoid shaking hands
 Work from home if possible if you are sick
 Employ appropriate patient placement and bed spacing principles
 Minimize or reschedule group meetings/conferences. Alternatively, consider
holding tele-meetings.
2. Cough Etiquette
 Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
 If you do not have a tissue, sneeze into your sleeve or elbow, not your hands
 Dispose of the tissue in a waste receptacle
 Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub
3. Signage
 Place posters and signs visible at the entrance of a workplace instructing
persons who have symptoms of respiratory infection to practice Respiratory
Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
Date Released: June, 2012
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