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Can Infection Be Contracted Through Ingestion Of Another's Pustule?

Posted on Wed, 19 Apr 2017

Question: Hello, I was wondering what would happen if someone accidently swallowed someone else's pus. Is pus dangerous to consume?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing will happen!

Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for reaching out to us at healthcare magic.

Nothing will happen if you had to swallow someones' pus. The stomach contains a powerful acid and the germs would either be killed or would travel out with stool. This is why we allow children to continue breastfeeding even when the mothers have an infected breast except a germ is isolated.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 hours later)

Thank you for your reply; yes it helped. It does raise another question I have in relation to the previous. Does someone's age change whether or not consuming pus is harmful? For example, if someone was really old, sick, or in frail condition, would consuming someone else's human pus be more of a threat?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 days later)

Brief Answer:
Not really!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

NO one consumes pus in large quantities and whenever this happens, it is a mistake and the volumes are often very small. It shouldn't be a problem to anyone irrespective of age should this be an accident. If any one then happens to consume in large quantities, older persons would be more fragile.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.

Sincerely,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar