Just in time for hay fever season, a sinister simulation showing the serious consequences of a woman's innocent sneeze has reared its head online.
Social media users are now scared sh**less every time their nose twitches after watching the short clip which depicts Victoria Kenny's real-life ordeal.
The vivid graphics show how a simple sneeze while she was sat on the sofa in 2007 resulted in her suffering from a broken spine and being unable to walk for two years.
So, you can understand why people are now terrified of a violent sneeze blasting out of their nose, given that it could potentially change your whole life in an instant.
Advert
The simulation of Victoria's story was created by YouTube's resident scaremonger, Zack D Films.
Don't get me wrong, he shares a lot of interesting content which is easy to understand, thanks to the artificial reconstructions he creates of the incident he's discussing.
But I think we can all agree that some of his simulations are a bit too realistic - such as the clip of illustrating the death of a man wearing a VR headset, what Ozempic does to your body or the brutal reality of a historic torture method.
Still, his videos are brilliant for visual learners...it's just that you need a strong stomach for a lot of them.
Advert
In the clip discussing how Victoria's sneeze left her paralysed, Zack explained: "As she sneezed, it ruptured a disc in her spine. And when it collapsed, a nerve got trapped between her two vertebrae.
"Suddenly, she couldn't move. Even though she had three separate operations, she still suffered extreme pain. For the next two years, she was bedridden - needing painkillers so strong, that she would hallucinate.
"But finally, doctors inserted a plastic cage around her spine, relieving pressure on the pinched nerve. Within a week, she was walking again...and holding in her sneezes."
People took to the comment section to share their horror after hearing the gory details of Victoria's experience, while hailing her for overcoming such a difficult time in her life.
Advert
One person said: "Zack never stops making us afraid, even just to sneeze," while another wrote: "The torture this poor lady went through. Insane."
A third added: "This is going to make me sneezing 100x more scarier. Thanks Zack."
A fourth wrote: "It's scary to think how we can be paralysed at any moment from a sneeze."
And a fifth chimed in: "New fear unlocked: sneezing."
Advert
In 2009, Victoria was watching Eastenders on TV with her husband when she felt a sneeze coming, however, it ended up rupturing a disc in her spine, leaving her paralysed for two years, according to the BBC.
After numerous operations and physiotherapy, she was discharged from hospital and able to walk again (via The Daily Mail).
Although we can't go through life fearing a sneeze, Victoria's story will certainly make you think twice next time you're fumbling for a tissue.
I think a lot of us will be doing the same from now on.
Olivia Burke