With no barrier—How rude
Sneezing with no hands won’t just embarrass your parents, it’ll likely shoot germs over 10 feet to other surfaces, where they can live for weeks until someone comes in contact with them. It makes you rethink grabbing that subway rail or grabbing magazines in a waiting room. Be sure to have some antibacterial wipes handy.
Using your hands—Your evolutionary germ-catcher
While this is a good way to keep germs from spraying all over the place, it’s almost counterproductive if you don’t scrub your hands clean afterwards. Sneezing in your hands is a good way to spread germs to your computer, phone, doorknobs—or someone else if you shake their hand.
If you catch yourself using your hands to barricade the germs, be sure to wash your hands with soap, friction and warm water for at least 30 seconds. Using hand sanitizer doesn’t substitute for good old hand washing.
Using your sleeve—The “vampire” method
Using your sleeve is a good way to cover your sneeze with smaller risks of contamination. Although it isn’t the best way to keep germs from traveling, some experts suggest it is better than using your hands because you are less likely to touch surfaces or other people with your sleeve than you are with your hands. Just be sure to cover your nose and mouth.
Use a tissue—Tried and true
If your allergies have been acting up, or if you’re battling the flu or a cold, then you may want to keep some tissues nearby, if not for your sake, then for everyone else’s. Using—and then throwing away—a tissue is the best way to keep germs from spreading like wildfire. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards for good measure.
About Texas A&M Health Science CenterTexas A&M Health Science Center is Transforming Health through innovative research, education and service in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and medical sciences. As an independent state agency and academic unit of Texas A&M University, the health science center serves the state through campuses in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen. Learn more at vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu or follow @TAMHSC on Twitter.
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