On the 23rd of this month, during her Eras Tour performance in London, pop star Taylor Swift was seen bending over and coughing vigorously on stage. Reports indicate that she remarked, “I swallowed an insect, but I can still sing.”
Concerns arose regarding the potential health risks of swallowing an insect. However, experts assure that ingesting an insect generally does not cause significant health problems. When an insect is swallowed, it naturally passes through the digestive system, gets broken down by stomach acid, and is eventually excreted. The likelihood of any health issues arising from this is extremely low.
Nonetheless, there is a rare risk if an insect enters the respiratory tract instead of the digestive system. This can lead to a condition known as ‘aspiration pneumonia,’ which occurs when food, saliva, or other substances enter the lungs through the bronchial tubes instead of the esophagus, causing an infection. If an insect is inhaled into the respiratory tract, it is crucial to cough forcefully to expel it, similar to how one would cough when choking on water.
In the case of children, expelling an insect in this manner might be challenging. If a child feels a foreign object in their throat, it is advisable to get an X-ray to ensure safety.