Why do people constantly plug their noses when they sneeze in public places?? Doesn't sneezing get rid of germs?
2007-01-09 06:23:37 · 13 answers · asked by Leah 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
Um, well, if you consider "Getting rid of germs" as spraying them all over the place, I guess. (It does NOT affect the sneezer. if you're sick, your going to be just as sick with or without those sneezy germs... sneezing just helps the virus or bacteria along in it's life cycle).
2007-01-09 06:29:30 · answer #1 · answered by Theresa A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting Sneezing Facts
“God Bless You”, often said after someone sneezes is believed to have originated during the Bubonic Plague.
In some cultures sneezing is a sign of good fortune – while others view it as an omen of death!
Sun sneezing is known as Photic sneezing and often runs in families occurring in about twenty-five percent of the population.
The speed of a sneeze is about seventy-five miles per hour.
A recent United States health recommendation for sneezing is to sneeze into the elbow instead of the hand – reducing the potential for spreading germs.
* The world record for sneezing is held by Donna Griffiths from Worstershire in the UK, who sneezed for 978 days in a row!
2007-01-09 06:27:52 · answer #2 · answered by sarabmw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sneezing is to get things that irritate your nose away from your nose. Even if you plug your nose, it still gets out and doesnt seem like its getting all over the room! Whether it's germs or something you're allergic to doesn't really matter. Either way, it's just not polite to get other people all sneezy.
2007-01-09 06:29:23 · answer #3 · answered by Kelly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone sneezes, the force behind the sneeze propels the germs forward, out of the person’s mouth. The person sitting next them will be exposed to a greater concentration of germs. The person sitting several feet away may still be exposed to the germs, but not at such a high concentration.
If for instance, the “sneezer” was infected with a contagious germ (i.e. Streptococcal bacteria) she may infect someone who was exposed to the germs.
Would the person sitting directly next to the “sneezer” be at a greater risk of being infected with the contagious germ? Yes, this person was exposed to the highest concentration of germs. However, someone sitting farther away from the “sneezer” may be infected as well. Sometimes, even though we are not exposed to a high concentration of germs, we can still get sick because our immune systems are not functioning at their best.
2007-01-09 06:28:01 · answer #4 · answered by blapath 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's horrible to "plug your nose" while sneezing! That's an excellent way to rupture something in your ears!
Be polite, carry a tissue!
But yes, sneezing is your body's way to rid itself of nasty things!
2007-01-09 06:27:53 · answer #5 · answered by Stephigal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To stop them from sneezing out loud and because of the possibility of something coming out. But I have heard that doing this causes headaches
2007-01-09 16:24:35 · answer #6 · answered by alx82092 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sneezing gets rid of germs and people plug thier nose so they don't spread thier germs...
2007-01-09 06:26:09 · answer #7 · answered by heclee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think they do it in respect to the people around them. but sneezing does release germs and holding it in only harms yourself. so just let it out, and pray no one gets sick lol
2007-01-09 06:28:54 · answer #8 · answered by tee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband always does this cuz he's afraid of blowing snot everywhere, and embarassing himself. I'm always afraid I would pop my eardrums, so I just cover my mouth. But then I think about all the germs on my hands...
2007-01-09 06:26:47 · answer #9 · answered by littlblueyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There worried about mucous flying out of their nose. They don't consider that it may cause undue pressure on their ears. They should simply carry a tissue in their purse or pocket.
2007-01-09 06:27:35 · answer #10 · answered by Ron P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋