- By the time you hear a sneeze detonate
you have T minus 60 seconds to take cover
from the worst of the blast.
We know this because a recent MIT study
used high-speed video to track
vigorous sneezes and coughs
allowing us to see them
for what they really are,
respiratory explosions.
Stick around much longer than 60 seconds
and you'll be surrounded
by a sneeze nebula.
We're talking about multi-phase
turbulent, buoyant clouds with
suspended droplets of various sizes.
In other words, a violent sneeze is a
microscopic spray of spittle and phlegm
issuing forth like a mushroom cloud,
sometimes even reaching air vents
at ceiling heights within minutes.
The team at MIT created
a sneeze fallout model,
yes fallout as in radioactive
materials raining down
after a nuclear explosion.
The model was based on 50 sneezes
produced by two people over several days,
showing the trajectory
of respiratory fluids.
What you're seeing is
fluid dynamics at work,
specifically mucosalivary fluid fragments.
Before this study was conducted
it was assumed that these fragments
were formed into droplets
inside the respiratory tract
and then spewed forth with a sneeze
but the footage shows the fluid
first passing over the lips as a sheet
then extending forward into ligaments
and finally breaking off into droplets
with the accompanying force of breath.
While the researchers can't say
exactly how much surface
area is covered by a sneeze,
after all, the force of
particle dispersion differs
depending on the sneeze, understanding the
far reach of sneeze tendrils
can better protect us
against infectious diseases like
measles, SARS, the flu
and the common cold,
not to mention bolster the mandate
that we all practice the
vampire sneeze and cough.
So like Dracula, you
simply cover your mouth
with the crook of your arm
thereby containing the
spray and limiting exposure
because if you don't do
this and you're sick,
you are a biological warhead.
And here's another tidbit,
according to Dr. Alan Hirsch,
a neurologist and psychologist,
your sneeze says something
about your personality.
Kitten sneezes might denote introversion
while thunderous sneezes
could signal extroversion.
While your out and about this week
make sure to drop in daily at
now.howstuffworks.com.
