Covering your cough is important because it helps stop the spread of germs that can make others sick. When you cough, thousands of tiny droplets come out of your mouth, which can carry viruses and bacteria. Large respiratory droplets can travel up to eight feet, making it easy to spread germs to people around you if you don’t cover your mouth.
It’s better to let your cough out rather than holding it in, as holding it back can irritate your lungs. But, if you must cough, be sure to practice good etiquette.Wear a maskwhile coughing to help prevent germs from traveling far in the air. If you don’t have one, cough into the crook of your elbow or a tissue out of courtesy for others.
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Covering Your Cough Makes a Difference
A single cough releases around 3,000 droplets into the air. Coughing can propel particles out of your lungs at speeds close to 50 miles per hour.These droplets can travel long distances—larger ones up to eight feet horizontally, and smaller ones over 20 feet vertically. Some tiny droplets can even move through ventilation systems, spreading germs farther than expected.
The smallest droplets can linger in the air for minutes to hours, forming a cloud that increases the risk of airborne transmission. They can also settle on surfaces, where viruses may survive for hours or even days, raising the chance of indirect transmission when people come into contact with them.
Evidence shows that covering your cough or wearing a mask significantly reduces germ spread. The most effective masks are surgical masks andKN95 masks. Even the most basic paper towel mask helps reduce the spread of germs, though they’re less effective than medical-grade masks.
Is It Better to Hold in a Cough or Cough It Out?It is better to cough it out than to hold a cough in. Coughing is a spontaneous and helpful reflex that expels irritants and mucus from your lungs to prevent infections. Holding in a cough can lead to greater chest and lung discomfort and potentially enables germs to move deeper into the lungs.
Is It Better to Hold in a Cough or Cough It Out?
It is better to cough it out than to hold a cough in. Coughing is a spontaneous and helpful reflex that expels irritants and mucus from your lungs to prevent infections. Holding in a cough can lead to greater chest and lung discomfort and potentially enables germs to move deeper into the lungs.
Cough Etiquette
The main idea is to cover your mouth when you cough (or sneeze) so the germs in your body are not propelled into the air or across the room, which could make others sick.
It’s not difficult to cover your cough. But, as simple as it is, there is a right and wrong way to do it.
DoCough into your bent elbowCough into a tissue or paper towelSanitize hands before touching doorknobs and other surfacesDispose of used tissues immediatelyStay home when sickDon’tCough into bare handsCough into a tshirt or hankyTouch doorknobs and other surfaces after coughing into handsHold onto used tissues on your desk or in pocketsCough onto others and share personal items
DoCough into your bent elbowCough into a tissue or paper towelSanitize hands before touching doorknobs and other surfacesDispose of used tissues immediatelyStay home when sick
Cough into your bent elbow
Cough into a tissue or paper towel
Sanitize hands before touching doorknobs and other surfaces
Dispose of used tissues immediately
Stay home when sick
Don’tCough into bare handsCough into a tshirt or hankyTouch doorknobs and other surfaces after coughing into handsHold onto used tissues on your desk or in pocketsCough onto others and share personal items
Cough into bare hands
Cough into a tshirt or hanky
Touch doorknobs and other surfaces after coughing into hands
Hold onto used tissues on your desk or in pockets
Cough onto others and share personal items
Putting your hand in front of your mouth to cover your cough is not advised. When you do this, the droplets can push through your fingers and spread onto everything you touch.
The CDC recommends coughing into a tissue and throwing the tissue in the garbage. Then, wash your hands with soap or usehand sanitizerjust in case any germs were transmitted from the tissue onto your skin.
If you don’t have a tissue handy, the next best option is to cough into the crook of your elbow. This is obviously simple, but it may take time to make a habit. It’s worth it, as this practice dramatically drops the odds of you spreading those germs.
Avoid coughing or sneezing into a hanky, t-shirt sleeve, or something else that isn’t disposable. These items can act as breeding grounds for germs, and walking around with them will only increase the spread.
Is It Rude to Cough Without Covering Your Mouth?Most people should understand when you need to cough. However, coughing without covering your mouth is generally considered rude because it spreads germs and makes others feel uncomfortable. It’s basic etiquette to cover your cough, especially in public or crowded spaces.
Is It Rude to Cough Without Covering Your Mouth?
Most people should understand when you need to cough. However, coughing without covering your mouth is generally considered rude because it spreads germs and makes others feel uncomfortable. It’s basic etiquette to cover your cough, especially in public or crowded spaces.
Does Wearing a Mask Help?
Yes, wearing a mask helps. Wearing a mask can reduce your risk of getting sick, especially during flu season or when visiting crowded spaces.
If you are sick and cannot stay home, wearing a mask can also reduce the risk of spreading germs when you sneeze, cough, and talk.
The effectiveness of mask-wearing varies depending on the type of mask you use:
Use the mask to cover your mouth and nose, making sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask. Try to avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands. If the mask gets damp, replace it. Do not reuse disposable masks.
When removing the mask, take it off from the back without touching the front. Used masks should be discarded immediately in a closed bin. After taking off the mask, disinfect your hands once again.
Summary
Coughing releases thousands of tiny droplets into the air. A single cough can spread germs to others up to eight feet away. The droplets can linger in the air, spread through ventilation systems, and coat surfaces, where a virus can survive for hours or even days. Any person who touches that surface will then be at risk of illness.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dhand R, Li J.Coughs and sneezes: Their role in transmission of respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep;202(5):651–659. doi:10.1164/rccm.202004-1263PPAmerican Lung Association.Learn about cough.Asadi S, Cappa C, Barreda S, et al.Efficacy of masks and face coverings in controlling outward aerosol particle emission from expiratory activities.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):15665. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-72798-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coughing & sneezing: hygiene etiquette & practice.World Health Organization.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dhand R, Li J.Coughs and sneezes: Their role in transmission of respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep;202(5):651–659. doi:10.1164/rccm.202004-1263PPAmerican Lung Association.Learn about cough.Asadi S, Cappa C, Barreda S, et al.Efficacy of masks and face coverings in controlling outward aerosol particle emission from expiratory activities.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):15665. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-72798-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coughing & sneezing: hygiene etiquette & practice.World Health Organization.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dhand R, Li J.Coughs and sneezes: Their role in transmission of respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep;202(5):651–659. doi:10.1164/rccm.202004-1263PPAmerican Lung Association.Learn about cough.Asadi S, Cappa C, Barreda S, et al.Efficacy of masks and face coverings in controlling outward aerosol particle emission from expiratory activities.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):15665. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-72798-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coughing & sneezing: hygiene etiquette & practice.World Health Organization.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks.
Dhand R, Li J.Coughs and sneezes: Their role in transmission of respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Sep;202(5):651–659. doi:10.1164/rccm.202004-1263PP
American Lung Association.Learn about cough.
Asadi S, Cappa C, Barreda S, et al.Efficacy of masks and face coverings in controlling outward aerosol particle emission from expiratory activities.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):15665. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-72798-7
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coughing & sneezing: hygiene etiquette & practice.
World Health Organization.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks.
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