What Happens When You Sneeze?

Cold & flu season? How far (and fast) germs travel is nothing to sneeze at

It starts with a dusting of pollen, a pinch of pepper or perhaps the cold or flu. If you forget to cover your mouth or nose during just one sneeze (or cough), it’s no big deal, right?

At least that’s probably what you tell yourself when your child sneezes right in your face, or when someone behind you in the checkout line coughs without covering their mouth.

Unfortunately, the germs that fly out of your nose or mouth can travel much farther — and faster — than you might think.

“Sneeze and cough germs spread far and fast,” says Steven Picozzo, MD, a Geisinger family medicine physician. “These tiny droplets float through the air and land on surfaces, and you can get a cold, the flu, RSV or another illness when you come into contact with them.”

One of the most common ways these illnesses spread is by breathing in infected droplets or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Understanding what happens when you sneeze can help you protect yourself — and everyone around you.

What happens when you sneeze?

A single sneeze launches a fast-moving cloud of up to 100,000 droplets and tiny aerosols from your nose and mouth. Larger droplets tend to fall within a few feet, while tiny particles can float and ride air currents — especially indoors.

Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that germs from 1 sneeze can travel as far as 23 to 27 feet. What’s also unfortunate is how incredibly fast these germs travel: A sneeze can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, which can power a plume full of thousands of germs across a crowded room in seconds.

“Sneezing or coughing into a tissue or the bend of your elbow absorbs much of that force and reduces how far germs can travel,” says Dr. Picozzo. “Pointing your face downward also shortens the distance, while sneezing upward can extend it.”

Large droplets can land on nearby surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, phones and keyboards, where some viruses can survive for up to several hours. If you touch these contaminated surfaces and then rub your face, you can become infected.

Smaller droplets can remain airborne for several minutes — and other people nearby can breathe them in and get sick if they’re contaminated.

Tips to help stop the spread of germs

You can’t stop every sneeze, but you can reduce how many germs it spreads. A few simple habits can help protect yourself and those around you — at home, in the workplace and out in the community.

Cover your mouth and nose

When you feel that familiar tickle before a sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, then throw that tissue away.

No tissue? Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. This absorbs the jet’s force to trap droplets and reduce how far they travel — all while keeping germs off your hands.

“We used to cover our mouths with our hands, but that doesn’t do much to stop the spread of germs, unless you immediately wash them afterward,” says Dr. Picozzo. “The elbow method is a much better option if you can’t grab a tissue quickly — and a great habit to teach your kids, too.”

Wash your hands

“The most important way to prevent the spread of germs is by washing your hands,” says Dr. Picozzo. “This tried-and-true technique is still the best protection, especially after sneezing or coughing, using the restroom and before eating.”

To wash your hands properly, use warm water and soap. Lather for 20 seconds — roughly the amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. However, know that hand sanitizer doesn’t kill all germs.

Don’t touch your face, eyes or mouth

Most people touch their eyes, nose and mouth dozens of times a day without realizing it. But if germs are on your hands, that’s an easy way for viruses to enter your body and infect you.

Instead, make a mental note to stop touching your face, especially if you’re not feeling well. Washing your hands also reduces the likelihood that you’ll spread germs this way.

Get a flu shot

Getting an annual flu shot is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of getting the flu and spreading it to others. It takes about 2 weeks to become effective, so it’s best to get your flu shot in early fall before flu season ramps up.

Disinfect high-touch surfaces

Because cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces for several hours, regularly disinfect high-touch items when someone’s sick in your household. Focus on doorknobs, light switches, faucets, phones, keyboards, remote controls and other shared equipment.

And be sure to follow the directions on the product label, including how long the surface should remain wet to kill germs effectively.

Stay home when you’re sick

If you’re not feeling well, keep your distance from others, especially in the first few days when you’re most contagious. Remember that sneeze and cough germs travel far, so if you’re doing a lot of either, stay at home until you are well to help stop the spread of germs.

“Getting a cold or flu might not seem like a big deal to you,” says Dr. Picozzo. “But for someone with a weakened immune system, these illnesses can become much more serious. Staying home when you’re sick is one of the simplest ways to protect the people around you.”