Yet Another Question For The Drs. Out There

[Samuraisan]

So now I am on antibiotics for the my chest infection, what happens to all the phlegm ? Do I have to eventually cough it all up ?

[excelsior-1]

i do not have the knowledge to answer your concerns Samuraisam, but i want to wish you a speedy recovery

[Prudie]

I'm not a doctor but would assume you either cough it up or swallow it.

[Tilly2]

I'm no doctor either but I would say, better out than in.

[mackfender]

I was given capsules called Carbocisteine. They loosen the phlegm and make it far easier to cough it up.

[mackfender]

Never ever swallow it..

[woofgang]

why not swallow it? You will in your sleep anyway.

[mackfender]

I was told that swallowing it will just reintroduce the infection and recirculate it. Hospital orders..

[Prudie]

I doubt you'd be able to stop yourself from swallowing it. It sounds revolting but it's what most of us do when we sniff

[Sqad]

Well...... at first you cough some up and swallow some...this goes on until the process that is producing the phlegm , infection or allergy is under control and then no more phlegm is produced...... BINGO.

[Sqad]

P.S...to mackfender.

Nearly all.....in fact all respiratory organisms are killed by the acid in the stomach, so swallowing phlegm is not harmful.

[Samuraisan]

Yes, but does all the phlegm have to be coughed up ? ( or swallowed )

[woofgang]

yup, it has to come out of your lungs and the lungs can't absorb it.

[askyourgran]

Cough it up if you feel it on your chest, into a tissue or swallow it if you are somewhere you can't ........like a restaurant (yuk).

[KittyGlitter]

You shouldn't suppress a cough - a cough is there for a reason. Cough it all out - get rid of the phlegm. Lots of hot clear drinks too, to loosen it.