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Droplet precautions

Last reviewed

Precautions are things we do to keep germs from spreading to other people in the hospital. 

  • Germs are spread when droplets are sprayed in the air when you talk, sneeze, or cough.
  • Droplets are also found on the surfaces around you, such as:
    • Your phone
    • The bed rails
    • Your table tray
  • These germs are not usually a problem for healthy people, but they can make sick people even sicker.

Droplet precautions are used when you have disease in your lungs or throat, such as:

  • The flu
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Mumps
  • Pneumonia

Droplet precautions in the hospital

A green sign will be on your door.

  • The sign helps staff and visitors know what personal protective equipment (gown, gloves, mask, etc.) they should wear.

Personal protective equipment helps:

  • Protect you so you do no get germs from staff and visitors
  • Protect staff and visitors so they do not get the germs you have

You will have your own room.

  • If your own room is not available, you may share a room with someone who has the same germ as you.

Leave your room only when you have to, such as when you need to go for an X-ray or other tests.

  • Wear a mask over your mouth and nose when you leave your room. 
  • Staff and visitors will wear a mask when they are in your room so that they do not breathe in the germs.

The most important step to stop the spread of germs is to wash your hands.

Wash your hands:

  • After using the bathroom
  • Before eating
  • Before leaving your room
  • After sneezing, coughing, and wiping your nose

Staff will wash their hands and/or use an alcohol-based hand cleanser when they care for you.

What you should do at home

  • Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating.
  • You can use common household cleaning products or disinfectants to clean commonly touched surfaces.