What's the most hygienic way to sneeze?

gobbledegeek | 08:47 Fri 09th Mar 2007 | Health & Fitness

4 Answers

I was told some time ago that the most hygienic way to sneeze is toward the ground or floor. It's supposed to be more hygienic than sneezing into a handkerchief or your hands. Is this correct?

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nigella

Oh god no! during sneezing, the secretions can be expelled up to 10 feet at a speed in excess of 70mph. even if you sneeze downwards, the droplets will still float in the air. its much better to sneeze into a tissue or hanky, preferably disposable. local government guidelines recommend sneezing into a sleeve if necessary to avoid contamination of hands.

gobbledegeek

Question Author

Surely at that speed the droplets would all hit (and presumably be absorbed by) the floor covering? I get your point though about disposable tissues. Trouble is a lot of people don't carry tissues around and may not have them immediately to hand - sneezing tends to come on rather suddenly!

nigella

Yeah they do hit the ground, but at that force, they bounce right back up again and then float. As for the tissues, thats probably why they recommend sneezing into a sleeve, although, even sleeves aren't always available.