Respiratory viruses are currently spreading across the U.S., and the CDC expects a rise in COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases in the coming weeks. Although the symptoms of these viruses can be different, they all cause a common issue: extra mucus in your throat and chest.
When you’re sick with a respiratory virus, you might wonder whether it’s better to spit out or swallow the excess mucus. Does either choice affect how quickly you recover? Here’s some insight from ear, nose, and throat specialists.
Mucus lines the wet surfaces of your body, including your lungs, sinuses, mouth, stomach, intestines, and eyes. It consists mostly of water and glycoproteins, which are a combination of sugars and proteins that make mucus thick and sticky. It also contains salts and molecules that are part of your immune defense system.
Mucus serves several purposes. It acts as a lubricant and a barrier, filtering what you breathe in and protecting you from the outside world. It traps debris, allergens, viruses, and bacteria that enter your airways, immobilizing them and helping prevent infection.
When you’re sick, producing extra mucus is a sign your immune system is working hard. Mucus contains antibodies to fight foreign substances and lysozyme, an enzyme that fights bacteria. This increase in mucus production is your body’s way of enhancing its protective barrier and washing away pathogens.
Having excess mucus isn’t pleasant, so you might have heard that spitting it out can provide relief. Many doctors agree with this advice. Spitting it out helps clear thicker mucus and opens up the drainage pathways in your nose and sinuses. Getting rid of the mucus also removes irritants, allergens, or infectious organisms from your body.
There is, however, nothing wrong with swallowing the mucus you cough up, as it won’t harm your stomach or intestines. The gastrointestinal tract will break it down, and it will eventually be eliminated from your body. Plus, throughout the day, you’re constantly swallowing mucus without even thinking about it.
There is no “right” way to spit out mucus. Whether you prefer to use a tissue or spit it out more forcefully, the result is the same. However, if you’ve been dealing with mucus for over a week or notice it’s continuously increasing, it’s a good idea to contact a doctor.
