Illnesses like the flu spread from person to person when droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and get into the mouth or nose of people nearby. The germs in these droplets can often also live on surfaces, such as desks or doorknobs, for 2 hours or longer and can spread when people touch these surfaces and then touch their eyes, mouth, and nose. If you decide to travel while you have a respiratory illness, you should always:
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Throw away used tissues. (Place them in a trash can or the sick bag when on a flight.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash after you use the bathroom, sneeze or cough, and before eating or touching anything that you might put in your mouth. (Hand sanitizer with alcohol may be used if no running water is available.
- Do not share food or drink with others.
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