As cold weather, fog, and pollution have blanketed most parts of India, many people have been affected, and doctors say cases are expected to jump up over the next few weeks. Even though the symptoms of every virus vary, there is something they all have in common: extra mucus in your throat and chest.

Getting sick with a respiratory virus means facing a conundrum over what to do when you have excess mucus production. Should you spit out mucus, or is it better to swallow it? How will it impact your recovery?

According to experts, mucus, which lines the moist surfaces of your body, including the lungs, sinuses, mouth, stomach, intestines, and eyes, is a combination of water and large molecules known as glycoproteins.

It works as a lubricant and provides a barrier between you and the outside world as a first line of defense by filtering what you breathe. Doctors say mucus also traps debris, allergens, viruses, and bacteria that go into your airways and prevent infection. When you get sick, mucus increases in your body, giving out a sign that your immune system is down. Mucus is packed with a few antibodies, which fight foreign substances, including bacteria.

According to doctors, it is a popular belief that excess mucus, which generally clogs at the back of your throat when you have colds and coughs, should be spat out, as it helps open up the drainage pathways of your nose and sinuses.

Experts say the thicker mucous has irritants, allergens, and infectious organisms that need to be cleared from the body.

Also, after a violent cough attack, spitting out mucus can make you feel better in the moment.

While mucus is a normal reaction to a respiratory infection, doctors recommend getting treated if you have been struggling for more than a week. Doctors generally agree there’s no right way to spit out mucus. Whether you prefer to delicately spit it into a tissue or hock a loogie, both methods achieve the same thing. However, a few easy ways you can get rid of mucus include:

Drinking more fluids—specifically, water—can help make mucus loosen up and easy to clear.

A nasal irrigation tool like a neti pot helps wash out mucus that has bacteria and viruses trapped in it.

Saline sprays are an easy and effective tool to help loosen mucus and move it out of your sinuses.

A hot and steamy shower is a natural way to effectively loosen mucus and get it flowing out of your body.

A few over-the-counter medications like antihistamines and pseudoephedrine reduce the amount of mucus you produce and give you quick relief.

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