Why Do We Sneeze?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
3. Protection against Illness
As mentioned, our nasal passages are very effective in helping to prevent unwanted items from reaching our lungs. Our nasal passages are lined with a sticky mucus that causes pathogens and particles to get stuck. When we sneeze, these particles are forced out of the nasal passage where they can do no harm.
While this system may help us individually, it has its flaws for the population overall. When we do sneeze, the mucus is forced out at great force and can reach surprising distances. This can actually encourage the spread of pathogens because other people are coming into contact with them after they have left our body.
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