The Velocity of a Cough
Submitted by admin on Wednesday, May 13 2009No Comment
There are three phases to a cough which impacts its velocity:
- inspiratory phase where pressure builds up in the thoracic cavity
- the compressive phase when the thoracic and abdominal muscles contract
- expiratory phase when the air is rapidly expelled
According to the article, “Complications of Cough” by Richard S. Irwin, MD, FCCP, “…during vigorous coughing, intrathoracic pressures of up to 300 mm Hg and expiratory velocities of up to 28,000 cm/s, or 500 miles per hour (85% of the speeed of sound), may be generated.”
That’s why it’s important to cover your mouth when you cough….
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