Triple infection- question on swallowing?
I have Nocardia, Mac and a fungal infection. I cough up phlegm frequently, but I know I often swallow it. Does anyone know how that may affect the rest of our body? It seems like that would just be swallowing the bacteria and sending it elsewhere?
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@aginn10 I had the same question early on when I had MAC & Pseudomonas. I asked 3 docs - primary, pulmonologist and ID specialist about swallowing the mucus, and none had an issue with it. It just passes through your digestive system and out of the body - unless you are severely immunocompromised, it doesn't set up housekeeping elsewhere and cause another point of infection. I was cautioned to be sure I was swallowing it so it would pass through my digestive system, and not aspirating it.
My pulmonologist's nurse told me there would be less of it if I did thorough airway clearance twice a day - she was right. Also, if you are nebbing with 7% saline it suppresses bacteria, so what is getting swallowed should have less bad stuff in it.
Sue
So glad you stopped and told me that, thanks so much! It’s really been a big question of mine but never seem to remember to ask!
Following National Jewish Health's guidelines I do Airway clearance. You can rid yourself of the mucus by nebulizing and using certain devices like an Aerobika, huff coughs. Have you looked at the Facebook page Lung Matters. There is good information on Airway clearance. You don't and should have to swallow all that stuff.
Airway clearance doesn’t happen for me. Nebulizing.Saline PEP device, huff coughing, postural drainage, vibrating vest, Mucinex NAC nothing produces mucus
@aginn10 it is the hydrochloric acid of your stomach -provided its level is normal - will eliminate bacteria and viruses protecting your body from infection. Hypochlorhydria meaning low levels of hydrochloric acid can impact the body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients besides protecting from infections.