A sneeze is surprisingly powerful, expelling air and mucus from your nose and mouth at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. This force can send 2,000–5,000 bacteria-filled droplets into the air, reaching a five-foot radius. That's why covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze is crucial to prevent the spread of germs.
The sheer force of a sneeze is due to a rapid increase in pressure in your chest and nasal passages. This pressure build-up is caused by the involuntary contraction of muscles in your chest and diaphragm. The pressure is released explosively when the air and mucus are expelled from your nose and mouth.
While a typical sneeze is powerful, holding it in can be dangerous. Holding back a sneeze can increase pressure in your chest, potentially leading to injuries like a ruptured eardrum, a burst blood vessel in your head, or even a collapsed lung.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- A sneeze can create 33 times more pressure than a cough.
- Sneezing is an involuntary reflex triggered by irritants in the nasal passages.
- The force of a sneeze can vary depending on the individual and the cause.
- The droplets expelled by a sneeze can remain suspended in the air for several hours.
Therefore, it's best to let a sneeze out naturally, and always cover your nose and mouth to protect yourself and others.
