Tracking the Travel of Coughs and Sneezes

Scientists in Singapore, the land of corporal punishment, high finance, and now 'sneeze travel research' are studying the transmission of flus by means of mirrors and high-speed cameras. The scientists are observing people's expectoration of water droplets while coughing and sneezing.

Using large mirrors, like those used in astronomical telescopes, and a high speed camera that captures up to 250,000 frames per second, the scientists observe the sprays produced by a cough or sneeze and then record the velocity and distance of the sprays.

The study will also include observation of talking, laughing, singing, and other daily activities. It will test the effects of covering a cough or sneeze, versus wearing a face mask, versus not covering up at all.

"We will be studying these other forms of plumes, where possible, as all forms of exhaled jets have the potential to carry infectious agents over greater distances," the head of the study said to Reuters. "What people do every day, we can visualize in real-time. Studying intervention is very important because we want to know how effective they are."

While this all sounds really gross, the end results will help researchers learn more about how flus are transmitted. Knowing how water droplets travel outside the body will aid in flu preparedness.

Sneezing or not, wash your hands with antibacterial soap, wipe down surfaces with Sani Cloth wipes and always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.