Sneezing, the rules of hygiene and those of bon ton

Sneezing is a real contagious bomb. Here’s how to avoid infecting those around you.

What is the first clue to a cold? The sneeze. Which turns out to be a real contagious bomb. To avoid it, a few hygiene measures are enough. And, why not, a bit of etiquette.

Droplets Formula1

According to research carried out by a team at Drexter University in Philadelphia, in the United States, sneezing is born in the back of the throat, involves numerous muscles, including facial ones responsible for blinking the eyes, and can cause the emission of a huge number of droplets of saliva – up to 40 thousand – that “run” at an average speed of 160 kilometers per hour, touching peaks of 320 and proving worthy opponents of Formula 1 drivers.

Very small in diameter, the droplets, however, contain a very high infectious load: there are almost 200 million viral particles that travel in the air or land on desks and everyday objects in offices, on the handles of buses, trains and subways.

The risk is that they end up in the respiratory tract of people around those who sneeze, even within a few meters. To avoid contagion, it is enough to put in place some precautionary measures and follow some simple hygiene rules.

Never the hand in front of the mouth

Are you sure you are preventing sneezing in the correct way? A New Zealand study has revealed that three out of four people make huge mistakes, either because they do not cover their mouths or because they use their hands as a barrier.

Nothing could be more wrong: in the first case, the viruses end up sticking to the nearest victim, in the second they settle on the hands, ready to be transmitted to the first squeeze. A good rule, however, is to keep a tissue always at hand, in your bag or pockets: it will protect your hands, and therefore all the objects then touched, from the invasion of germs.

But if the sneeze comes suddenly, New Zealand researchers suggest covering your mouth and nose with your elbow bent. A precaution that will not please everyone, useful, however, to avoid the aerial and “manual” spread of infectious agents: no one will ever think of shaking your elbow, nor with this you can open doors or handle objects.

Frequent washing makes the difference

Among the hygiene rules, the frequent washing of hands stands out: washing them regularly, in fact, removes the risk of contagion. To eliminate germs, however, you must wash them in the right way and for at least 30 seconds.

Here are the 5 fundamental moments for hand hygiene:

1 Wet your hands with hot water (not boiling)
2 Soap, preferably with a liquid soap (the solid one tends to retain viruses)
3 Rub palm, back and wrists, wipe between fingers
4 Rinse under running water
5 Dry with a clean towel to use only once

If you are not at home or within the walls of your office, use a hydro-alcoholic disinfectant solution or the appropriate gels to clean your hands.

Another rule: keep nails clean and short: viruses love to nest in the area under the Nail tags. Remember, therefore, to clean them with the appropriate brush.

And for those who want to be like Monsignor Della Casa

Etc. If you are thinking of responding with the usual, cordial “cheers!”, hold your tongue: according to the code of good manners he is not polite.

The etiquette, in fact, goes like this: «those who sneeze in public must apologize, those around them must ignore what happened. Furthermore, one must cushion the sneeze with a handkerchief and avoid giving the closest person a “shower”.

Why, then, is it customary to say “health”? The custom derives from the ancient Romans: considering sneezing a symptom of serious illness, they wished “salus” to those who sneezed.

Today we know perfectly well that you don’t die of sneezing, and that to heal faster you can help yourself with lots of vitamin C and the classic anti-inflammatories. And health will return to normal even without the ancient Roman good wishes for a speedy recovery.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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