To spit or to swallow?
@incredibleDNA (1742)
Philippines
July 21, 2009 12:38pm CST
That got you looking.
No, this is a serious question - when you have a chesty productive cough is it better to spit or swallow what you produce. We, in my family, have all got coughs, I asked the doc the same question in respect of my daughter and he said it didn't make any difference, but I'm interested to know if this is really the case.

1 person likes this
8 responses
@oindy54 (3445)
• India
21 Jul 09
It must be spit because it is very harmful to swallow it back.It is full of germs and bacteria and unless it is spit out,you will allow your chest to become more congested.It is really dangerous as far as I know.I cannot say why your doctor has said that it does not make a difference because I have always grown up hearing my parents say that I should spit out when I am into a fit of coughing.In fact we inhale vapor to bring out the cough so that it does not lead to chest congestion and bronchitis.
@abbypringles (1613)
• Philippines
27 Jul 09
spit of course. this will enable the phlegm to be eliminated from your body. or else, the cough will just keep recurring. :]
@mdvarghese (1789)
• Bangalore, India
26 Jul 09
Hi..........DNA
It is better to spit the cough. When human body produces extra cough it has to go out whether by coughing or in the stool. If the cough level increases in the blood,it will become isnophelia. Try to diagnosis the cough as it is affected all of your family memebers. Reduce salt intake . Drink more water . Reduce the body weight. Happy mylotting
@zhuhuifen46 (3483)
• China
26 Jul 09
You have raised a meaningful question. Personally, I believe spit is better. But spitting, you get rid of the infectious stuff out of chest.
As with skin infection, doctors will remove the yellow infections as much as possible, so as to help recovery.
@John4Christ (1597)
• India
26 Jul 09
Hi incredibleDNA,
Well I can associate with this discussion currently as I have been coughing my lungs out since past two months, I was really scared as I thought why the hell is it not stopping.......I got my blood tests and they were all normal, the doc says that I need to spit the cough out as if I swallow it I am not co-operating with my body, the body just wants to get rid of the filth that is there in our body and if we keep swallowing it, it is certainly going to harm our body.........
It gets quite embarrassing sometimes as when I am at work and I cough incessantly, you gather all the attention towards you, and there are people who will offer water, ask if you need a break and stuff........I just want to get rid of this now, and somehow I am recovering slowly and steadily.......I hate cough....*cough* *cough*

@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Having myself worked in the medical field. I say it is better to spit (as disgusting as it sounds). The more mucus that we are holding in our lungs, the better place there is to harbor germs that enter our system through our noses, mouths, sinuses. I've also found in my own experience, when I swallow the mucus, it seems like only a matter of a few minutes until I get to coughing again.
I'm not a doctor at all, but if it was safe to swallow, why would they test that same exudate that is created by coughing for infection in a hospital situation?
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
26 Jul 09
this is kinda yuckky discussion. sorry for the term but it really is. i say to spit it out but make sure that when it is done, try to be more discreet in doing so. and please not in public view and not anywhere.
an unsolicited advise - when coughing, cover the mouth with a tissue paper and discreetly spit there and place it in the trashcan.
i just hate to see people spitting from windows of car while passing.
uggghh!!!
