A member asked:

How rare is it to swallow food and it to go in your lungs, im 22 just swallowed food and choked now im scared its in my lungs?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Uncommon in healthy: In healthy normal people, it is uncommon to have food actually get into the lungs because people have an automatic cough reflex to spew out anything that accidentally goes toward the lungs... so stuff rarely makes it all the way to the lungs. If it makes it into the lungs, the person likely gets a persistent cough. That means coughs that last for weeks should be checked out by one's doctor.

Answered 11/17/2019

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Dr. Amrita Dosanjh answered

Specializes in Pediatric Allergy and Asthma

Lung defenses: The lung has defense mechanisms to avoid infection due to aspiration. Choking on food may result in particles in the airway, which are usually controlled and cleared. If you notice fever and cough within a few weeks of the episode please see your PCP for follow up. Eat and chew food slowly to avoid choking.

Answered 11/7/2019

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