this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2023
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In world's 1st known case, man tears windpipe from holding sneeze (www.livescience.com)
submitted 1 year ago by throws_lemy@lemmy.nz to c/science@mander.xyz
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[–] Spzi@lemm.ee 11 points 1 year ago

If you've ever tried to hold in a sneeze, this new medical case report might make you think twice.

"In world's 1st known case"

Contrary to what other people seem to take from this, it rather shows how unrisky holding in a sneeze is. If it was significantly dangerous, we'd know more than one case.

I actually had a relative who died from drinking a sip of water from a glass. Got it in the wrong pipe. I still would not warn people from drinking water after I learned about it. Again, after all, the overwhelming majority of evidence points to the opposite; it's perfectly safe.

It's not a great comparison, since there is a good alternative to holding in a sneeze, whereas there is no good alternative to drink water.