i had a cough last year so i used a knife to cut slits in a water bottle, then stuffed toilet paper in there (let the inside dry out of course). use a good stout water bottle so it isn't all crinkly and noisy. it was better than nothing. for sneezes, i've heard of looking at a light will make it go away. my wife was a cheerleader and she said that's what they did. if i can't get it to go away, then i'll try to sneeze into a beanie or glove or the inside of my jacket if it's a heavy one. i usually dont have an issue until late in the season when it starts to get really cold here. and by cold, i mean the 30's-40's.