2006-12-10 02:56:27 · 15 answers · asked by lllerman 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
You would figure it's not healthy, but when a baby or a child is sick they don't know any better and just swallow. I've never heard of encouraging children to spit out phlegm.
I'm sure your body is ready to filter or neutralize anything in that stuff that is bad for you. It comes from you, so It's not an introduced toxin or bacteria.
2006-12-10 03:08:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends how much...when I had my tonsils out, there was a lot of that, and the doctor's demanded I swallow it (to get my throat working again). Same when I had pneumonia, I was told it was okay. Stomach acid can kill (most?) of the microbes in it. However, too much can make you throw up, and you can choke on it as well.
2006-12-10 03:00:36 · answer #2 · answered by sarahkeebs 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Our bodies are designed so that stuff that comes up from the lungs can be easily swallowed. We ALL do it all the time.
However, when you are sick, it's probably a good idea to spit it into a tissue if you can.
Then wash your hands.
2006-12-10 03:07:33 · answer #3 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not the coolest idea but it won't kill you. Once swallowed it will go to your stomach where bowel flora will break it down just like it was food. For TNBADBUD: phlegm doesn't come from your lungs, birdbrain. Fluid in the lungs is commonly called PNEUMONIA.
2006-12-10 03:13:35 · answer #4 · answered by jrr_hill 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It is not usually going to hurt you. However it is better to spit it out. your body coughes it up for a reason, there is usually something in it that needs to get out. I know its grose, but spit it out, find a tissue or something if you have to.
2006-12-10 04:17:25 · answer #5 · answered by tera_duke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is a real harm in it unless you are Muslim and fasting, then you could possibly be breaking your fast. Just the thought is sort of disturbing. However, I am sure we have all done it.
2006-12-10 03:05:04 · answer #6 · answered by amazedmaize 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have a bad cold, i recommend spit it out as much as possible. see, if you swallow it, you digest it like normal. but it can really make your stomach hurt if you swallow too much. get well!
2006-12-10 04:58:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't hurt you. It can't make your lungs worse because you are swallowing it into your stomach, not back into your lungs. It's just kinda gross, that's all! :)
2006-12-10 05:01:28 · answer #8 · answered by jenna11rn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, you need to get all of that out of you and all out of your lungs. the best thing to do is cough and spit it into tissue. merry christmas
2006-12-10 03:04:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Will not hurt you, but spit it out/ That is way your lungs released it
2006-12-10 03:04:18 · answer #10 · answered by tnbadbunny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋