Is coughing up phlegm the end of a cold?

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asked Feb 12, 2020 in Other- Health by 9phisiwi (310 points)
Is coughing up phlegm the end of a cold?

2 Answers

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answered Feb 16, 2020 by Cathy21 (85,770 points)
Yes coughing up phlegm is usually the end of a cold.

Whenever my cold virus is about over and I'm recovering from the cold I start coughing up some yellow thick phlegm and then as the cold virus is more on it's way out of my body the phlegm then starts to turn to clear.

I may cough up phlegm for as long as a few weeks after the cold but the phlegm is usually clear in color.

The phlegm contains bacteria that your body is trying to get rid of so always cough up the phlegm and spit it out to get rid of that bacteria.

If you try to just swallow the phlegm then the bacteria stays in your body and then it takes longer to recover from the cold virus.

Coughing up the phlegm is a good thing and it means your cold virus is about over with.
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answered Feb 25, 2022 by Wendell (41,840 points)
Some ways to clear your lungs of phlegm include.

Taking some mucus medicine to help you cough up mucus.

Keeping the air moist.
Drinking plenty of fluids.
Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face.
Keeping the head elevated.
Not suppressing a cough.
Discreetly getting rid of phlegm.
Using a saline nasal spray or rinse.
Gargling with salt water.

Phlegm should be spit up and not swallowed.

Phlegm is a type of mucus made in your chest.

You typically don't produce noticeable amounts of phlegm unless you are sick with a cold or have some other underlying medical issue.

When you cough up phlegm, it's called sputum.

You may notice different colored sputum and wonder what the colors mean.

The sinuses, throat, and nose all produce mucus that a person usually swallows unconsciously.

When mucus starts to build up or trickle down the back of the throat, this is known as postnasal drip.

Causes of postnasal drip include infections, allergies, and acid reflux.

Mucus and phlegm are similar, yet different: Mucus is a thinner secretion from your nose and sinuses.

Phlegm is thicker and is made by your throat and lungs.

Some ways to get rid of phlegm include.

Keeping the air moist.
Drinking plenty of fluids.
Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face.
Keeping the head elevated.
Not suppressing a cough.
Discreetly getting rid of phlegm.
Using a saline nasal spray or rinse.
Gargling with salt water.

You should always spit out phlegm when you can do so.

Never swallow your phlegm because your phlegm contains bacteria that your body is wanting to get rid of and needing to get rid of.

When you swallow your phlegm that bacteria and germs gets back into your body which makes you sicker and can prolong your illness.

Always spit the phlegm out either onto the ground or into a toilet, sink etc and make sure to wash the phlegm away.

Phlegm although will not harm you if you do swallow it is not good to swallow and should always be spit out when you can do so in a sanitary and non disgusting manner.

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