When I was a kid, I was taught to cover my mouth (with my hand) when I sneeze. Today, I learned that this?

Question

method of sneezing is no longer the accepted way to sneeze. I learned that I should be sneezing into the fold of my arm (at the elbow)

Why would I want to do that? I wash my hands constantly, so spreading germs is not a worry...I feel if I sneeze into my arm I would need to launder and or change my shirt many times a day...am I crazy?

Answer 1

No, you are sane, it is the world that is mad.

Answer 2

Actually, using your hand is just fine. It's better if you have a tissue or handkerchief, but if you don't, it's not the end of the world. The germs that you sneeze out are actually dead. The problem with all this hyper-sanitizing of everything is that you don't get a chance to build up an immunity to anything. The result is that you have no defenses, so that when you *do* get sick, it hits you harder and lasts longer than it otherwise would. It's rather like a vaccination in that respect. Vaccinations use a dead version of the germs that cause whatever disease it is (like influenza), so that your body has a chance to build up its defenses *before* you get hit by the live germs. Remember what happened when Europeans first started arriving in North America. Whole villages of Indians were wiped out because they had no defenses against smallpox, whereas the Europeans had built up some immunity from living with it for so long.

Germs are all around you, no matter what you do. And they're sneaky. The time when you're contagious is *before* you start showing any symptoms. The reason you start showing symptoms is because your body's defenses have been waging war on the attacking germs and winning, so by that time, the invaders are dead and dying, and are no longer a threat.

In any case, it's thoughtful of you to wash your hands as often as you can.

Answer 3

You wouldn't need to worry about laundering your clothing because the inside of your elbow doesn't touch much. Also, germs don't survive for a very long time outside of their human host, so germs on clothing will just die after a while. I don't see a problem with sneezing into your hand if you wash your hands afterwards. Or maybe you could carry some tissues and sneeze into a tissue.

Answer 4

you sneeze into your hand and there is a much greater risk of spreading germs around If you need to be that um juicy about it you would reach for a tissue anyway, wouldn't you or else I don't want to think of what you need to be washing off your hands. You cannot possible rush to the bathroom and thoroughly wash your hands each and every time you cough or sneeze so passing germs is a problem. Carry a hankie or better some disposable tissues and solve the dilemma you want to make of this

Answer 5

I've seen this reported on the local news. It does make sense actually. Unless you wash your hands right after sneezing into a tissue you can spread the cold virus very easily. By sneezing into your elbow the cold germs don't get anywhere near your hands so they don't get spread around.

Answer 6

Not crazy, just misinformed. It is now being pushed to sneeze and cough into your shoulder or fold of your arm. You can't guarantee you'll wash your hands right after a sneeze or cough. And if you can you're still touching the faucet handles and door knobs. Germs don't live on material so unless you leave a big goober on your arm you won't pass any germs thru your clothing.

Answer 7

Sneezes spread from where you are to a radius 25 feet. So, sneezing into your had does make any difference. Carry a handkerchief. That's the best way. My sister carries a towel, cause she is really snotty.

Answer 8

As far as etiquette is concerned, the old fashioned way still works.

But the new way is thought to spread less germs. We touch most things with our hands, not the crook of our arms. So, don't worry about changing your shirt all day.

Answer 9

I've always sneezed into the fold of my arm. I only sneeze into my hand when I have a tissue in it. I didn't need anyone to teach me this.

If you sneeze into your hand are you going to wash it immediately? Doubtful. And if you sneeze into your hand you are giving the germs a better place to grow than if you sneezed into your clothing. Why is this difficult to understand?

Personally, I am sick (literally) of people who are so thoughtless when it comes to keeping their germs to themselves.

Answer 10

Why would someone sneeze into thier elbow?? LoL Sorry, i find that wierd and funny ; )

I mean you are washing your hands after you sneeze into them.

Its not like you are sneezing into your hand, then going around touching everything, Lol.

Answer 11

Sneezing into your hands only spreads thousands of germs, sometimes it can't be helped...I understand what you mean.....there is always something new. Sneezing into your sleeve combats most of the airborne germs we sneeze out of our mouth.....