NEJM -- Coughing and Aerosols

[Giuseppe]

NEJM -- Coughing and Aerosols

Coughing and Aerosols

When a healthy volunteer coughs, he expels a turbulent jet of air with density changes that distort a projected schlieren light beam (Panel A).

A velocity map early in the cough (Panel B) was obtained from image analysis.

Sequential schlieren images during the cough (Panel C and video) were recorded at 3000 frames per second.

A maximum airspeed of 8 m per second (18 mph) was observed, averaged during the half-second cough.

Several phases of cough airflow are revealed in the figure.

The cough plume may project infectious aerosols into the surrounding air.

There is an increasing interest in visualizing such expelled airflows without the use of intrusive methods because of concern regarding the transmission of various airborne pathogens, such as viruses that cause influenza and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
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<cite cite="http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/359/15/e19?query=TOC">NEJM -- Coughing and Aerosols</cite>

 

[gsgs]

Re: NEJM -- Coughing and Aerosols

what to do when someone with possible infectious
respiratory disease coughs ?

stop breathing for a while ? (for how long ?)
turn away ?
duck ?
flee ?

what to advice coughing people ?
duck ? cough to the ground ? turn towards the wall ?
use handkerchief ?

 

[teederkee]

Re: NEJM -- Coughing and Aerosols

Sorry to repeat from earlier posts, but this is exactly why paramedic standards have recently changed in Ontario, Canada. After assessing patients, if they suspect that the patient may be carrying an infectious respiratory illness, they are to use a surgical mask on the patient. If, however (and this is a key difference to the rest of the world) the patient requires oxygen by mask, they must use a mask that can filter the patient's breaths. These devices (there are several types to choose from, but are not heavily advertised) are designed to trap particles emitted while coughing. It really doesn't sink in until you realize that normal oxygen masks that aren't designed to filter anything are used in the tens of millions annually. It is felt by those who have adopted them in Ontario that this will stop a considerable amount of spread in the early stages of treatment. At least its a start.

For everyday use, keep with the standard recommendations of coughing or sneezing in your sleeve or hanky and don't get too far away from your personal jar of alcohol wash.