After sneezing in public, someone says "Bless you", do you say thank you? If not, what DO you say?
Why do you feel a need to comment on one bodily function but not others? Why is sneezing special but coughing, etc is not?
The blessing is not a christian ritual but an ancient belief. It may be an odd at first to stop but it really isn't rude to not say anything.
Though I'm an atheist, I always say "bless you" to even the strangest of strangers when they sneeze in my proximity. It's a good way to connect with another human for at least a few seconds. Most people, from my experience, seem to appreciate the concern. In early, pre-science days, it was thought that sneezing was the releasing of evil demons.... thus the need for blessing. In truth, the explosive discharge can be fraught with evil demons, such as flu virus. I think a "thankyou" is an appropriate response...... thank you for thinking of me.
Not sure, but I have stayed silent after Somebody else's sneezes