Medical Reports: Nothing to Sneeze at

WSVN -- Cover your mouth -- it's what every kid is taught -- the way to keep germs from spreading.

But forget everything you've ever learned in the past, there's a new way to contain your cough and seize your sneeze.

Barbara Russell: "It's hard to believe because I would previously have said, 'What? Sneeze in my sleeve, are you crazy?'

No she's not -- listen up, because this is nothing to sneeze at.

Every year, millions of people come down with the flu and more than 36,000 die from it.

So the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is officially trying to stop the spread of the flu by changing the way people cough and sneeze.

There's even a hilarious new video out that's being used by hospitals, schools and businesses.

The message: "Do it in your sleeve."

Belkys Nerey: "Here's why: The flu is spread from person to person. Under this ultraviolet light, look at what comes out when someone coughs or sneezes."

Barbara Russell: "If I have a cold, and we're close enough that if I gave a good sneeze or cough right now and didn't cover my nose and mouth in some fashion, it could transmit over to you."

So stopping your germs from winding up everywhere else is now becoming priority number one, especially here in South Florida.

"So when we sneeze, we sneeze on our elbow like this? That's it -- so that all the germs stay here."

That's why Sneezing 101 is now a daily lesson at Riviera Day School in Coral Gables.

Here, along with learning their ABCs, the 3- and 4-year-olds in Miss Ailyn's class are practicing their "gesundheits."

Lance: "What happens if you sneeze on you hands? You get germs on the computer."

Gianna: "What's the right way? Show me the right way?"

And this new way to sneeze seems to be working.

But, if they forget, there are plenty of tissues, wipes and antibacterial gels to go around.

Ailyn Aranda: "Out of a classroom of 20, we never have more then a couple sick at a time, which is great."

The lessons don't stop there.

At Baptist Hospital in Southwest Miami-Dade, employees are learning to cover and cough.

Robin Morgan: "When you looked at it, it just made so much sense, just so much sense. I don't know why we didn't do this before."

Chris Witt: "At first I thought it was a joke because it was like really funny but kind of unusual from what our mothers had taught us."

From the Emergency Room to the waiting room, signs are posted all over the place encouraging the new technique.

Watch closely...

Barbara Russell: "You don't want to be like this. You want to be into it so that your arm or that material can catch whatever might be coming out. You haven't contaminated doorknobs and elevator buttons and packages you've held."

But if you do sneeze the old fashioned way, at least try to sneeze into a tissue and toss it out immediately. Then make sure to wash your hands.

It could take some getting used to, but remember you heard it here first -- sneezing into your sleeve is now the new way to ahchoo! Excuse me.

Ailyn Aranda: "I think it's more hygienic. I think if we can start doing this in schools it will help them to stay healthy."

Otorhinolounsburgology Productions: Why don't we do it in Our Sleeves?
www.coughsafe.com

Baptist Hospital
786-596-6557 (Main)
786-596-6574 (Infection Control)
www.baptisthealth.net
8900 N. Kendall Drive
Miami, FL 33176