Your Sneeze Could Infect a Whole Room

We’re in the middle of cold and flu season. Be sure to wash your hands frequently, and make sure to get your flu shot if you haven’t already.

A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) concluded that the cloud emitted by a typical sneeze could contaminate an entire room within minutes, according to the American Physical Society publication.

Researchers shot high-speed video of two healthy adults who sneezed more than 50 times over the course of several days. They then analyzed the videos to understand how far and how quickly the sneeze droplets traveled.

It’s common knowledge that sneezes can spread infection, including diseases like the flu or measles. Viruses can be spread when sneeze droplets are inhaled by others or when they land on surfaces people later touch.

The study did not conclude how far sneeze droplets can travel nor why some people’s sneezes can spread illness and some cannot.

A previous study led by an MIT researcher concluded sneeze droplets within only a few minutes can cover an entire room, including ventilation ducts on the ceiling.

The latest study learned how these sneeze droplets are formed. They are formed in a “high propulsion sneeze cloud.” Rather than already formed and distributed at the exit of the nose or mouth, sneeze are formed in this cloud.

Material travels from the lungs and through the lips before forming a cloud in the air.

Learning about specific dynamics of sneezing could help scientists and healthcare providers learn new ways to prevent the spread of disease. This could be helpful to preventing or stopping future epidemics or pandemics.

Though new treatments are not yet developed based on the findings of this study, doctors can continue to educate patients and their families about the importance of cough and sneeze etiquette.

For example, be sure to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and take care to wash your hands after. Use tissue to cover your face. If you don’t have any handy, cough or sneeze into your upper arm, rather than your hands.