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Phlegm - Cough it up

  • 31-12-2007 7:12pm
    #1
    snapplejacks
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭


    Can anyone tell me whether or not it is better to swallow phlegm back down after coughing it up.

    I was always of the opinion that once it was up keep it up, but a friend's relative recently visited a specialist about something and they advised to swallow the plegm back down!


Comments

  • #2
    bertebug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 ✭bertebug


    no harm to swallow it. it is probably more healthier and mannerly than spitting it out on the ground or into a snotty hankerchief. Who want to see someone elses snot


  • #3
    John
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,135 ✭✭✭✭John


    Your body is designed so that the phlegm goes down into the stomach where the concentrated acid will kill off any bacteria that are causing you problems rather than spitting it out and spreading your germs.


  • #4
    GhostInTheRuins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,977 ✭✭✭GhostInTheRuins


    John wrote: »
    Your body is designed so that the phlegm goes down into the stomach where the concentrated acid will kill off any bacteria that are causing you problems rather than spitting it out and spreading your germs.

    I didn't know that. I always thought it was better to spit it out so your body won't have to deal with the bacteria/germs that's in it again.


  • #5
    John
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,135 ✭✭✭✭John


    Nope, few bacteria can survive a trip through your gut. Only ones that have evolved to reside in the gut like E. coli can do so. Everything else gets digested.


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