I'm trying really hard to not get a cold or flu this year. i'm washing my hands hourly, using paper towels when i need to open doors at work, using lysol wipes to keep my desk at work healthy, if someone is sick, i ask them not to come near me.

well, now, i came home and walked to get my mail and as i was walking, a guy was walking towards me and started coughing.

can that now make me sick? did i just go through all of this for some guy to cough and get me sick? i washed my hands once i got home, didn't touch my face at all, i was wearing a coat and gloves, so when i came home, i took them off. but now, i'm just really nervous about that guy's cough and making me sick.

am i worried for nothing?

Drink lots of water, and take vitamin c..maybe that'll help prevent it.

I got sneezed on by the blood bank lady who had a cold and was taking my blood. She sneezed on my arm and I just made sure not to touch the area and wash my hands right away when I got out of there. People are sooooo rude!

Drinks lots of water, take vitamins, especially Vitamin C and if you think you ARE getting sick, take Echinacea! That really helps. The answer to you question is yes. If that guy coughed in your direction as you say, and he has a cold germ, the molicules can stay airborne as far as 3-4 feet for up to 5 hours is what I read. I see some stores (at least here) are starting to offer people antibacterial wipes at the grocery stores because people who touch the handles who have colds/flu can pass it around just because of how long the stuff hangs around and the fact that kids who sit in the carts wipe their noses or puts there hands in their mouth and touches the handle isn't good.

Stay well, I know it's hard this time of year. Oh, and get plenty of sleep too! :wave: