Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are infections that happen in the lungs, chest, sinuses, nose and throat, for example, coughs and colds, the flu and pneumonia. RTIs can spread easily from person-to person through the air, through person-to person contact (touching hands, hugging, kissing) or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Coughing and sneezing is a way in which our body tries to get rid of any harmful microbes and particles we might inhale from getting deeper into our respiratory tract. It is important that good respiratory hygiene is taught from a young age, and that key messages are built on over time. This is especially important in the approach to the winter cold/flu season each year, or when there is an outbreak of an infectious disease.

This lesson plan supports students to understand why respiratory hygiene matters and what good practice looks like. They do this through creating a giant sneeze, and identifying how different barriers can prevent harmful microbes from spreading.