Get Virtual Care
For Businesses
About Us
A member asked:
Does phlegm really get into our lungs when we swallow it? what happens to it then?
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
No: It goes into your stomach when you swallow it.
Answered 10/4/2016
5.3k views
Thank
No Harm: When you swallow the phlegm, it simply goes in the stomach. The stomach acid will kill whatever is in the phlegm. There is no harm whatsoever. It may be a little gross, but nothing is wrong. In fact, the stomach acid is the first line of defense against any sort of infection that may be in the phlegm. So, no worries.
Answered 1/3/2014
5.3k views
Thank
Related Questions
A member asked:
Trouble swallowing, weird gurgling in lower throat/chest, feels like something moving in my throat, hurts when i swallow, coughing up lots of phlegm?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
I have a very tight chest with a green mucus phlegm Im coughing up. A red sore throat, making it difficult to swallow. What is this and can any over the counter meds work for it??
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
Sore throat after night of drinking. 2 days trouble swallowing with pain. No cough or phlegm but chest hurts under breast and short of breath.
A doctor has provided 1 answer
People also searched for:
I've been experiencing a cold, especially morning hours but recently my headaches have been nonstop plus I remove pink phlegm accompanied by some throat thus swallowing food is painful I get fevers & sudden chest &back pains, what could be the issue?
Started choking on food when eating/swallowing.Throat full of phlegm. Constant lump in throat feeling always swallowing.Afraid to eat-there've been 2 times I almost didn't get food out of mouth/throat in time. Cough,rib/chest pain. Ideas/Help please?
I woke gasping for air I tried inhaling but felt stuck and simply couldnt when I could breathe again my throat felt swollen and I could feel phlegm pouring out of my lungs and had difficulty swallowing coughing alot an I was pale white an cold sweat?
How do u get a 1 year old with a bad chest cold to spit out the flem vs swallowing it again ?
Very enlarged lymph nodes in neck and upper back and collarbone and chest. Why is it hard to swallow? Feels like I have thick phlegm that wont go dwn
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HIPAASecure
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHOAccredited
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
