We all know that the fluid droplets we expel in coughs and sneezes are a combination of sizes; ranging from 1 micrometer to 800-900 micrometers. But the latest research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has revealed that your disgusting human germs can actually travel pretty far after a particularly violent bout of coughing or sneezing.

This all has to do with a "respiratory cloud" that gets expelled every time you sneeze or cough, which is made up of hot/moist air and some water. This cloud can actually enhance the range of the smaller droplets, helping them travel way farther than what was previously thought.

Using a high-speed imaging to track the droplets, they found that larger droplets could travel within two meters from the sneezer. As for smaller droplets, these could be expelled for about 4 meters, or even travel farther through ventilation.

But don't panic too much when someone starts coughing or sneezing in the same room as you. These new findings are meant to give researchers a better understanding of the patterns of transmission. If anything, think of this as a reminder to cover your nose and mouth when you feel a cough or sneeze coming on!