Why Do You Have Bad-Tasting Phlegm in the Back of Your Throat?

Key takeaways:

• Cough and phlegm are common symptoms of many conditions. The consistency, color, smell, and taste of your phlegm can provide more information about the cause of your symptoms.
• Bad-tasting phlegm with shortness of breath, wheezing, or fever may suggest a more serious cause of your symptoms.
• Your medical history, travel history, smoking history, or current medications may also help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.

Cough can be a frustrating symptom, and it can cause further concern when it’s accompanied by thick, smelly, and bad-tasting phlegm. Many dry coughs progress to productive coughs. Mucus-containing phlegm that varies in color, consistency, smell, and taste might show up when you cough. Many infections that cause coughing also cause bad-tasting phlegm in the back of the throat.

Most causes of bad-tasting phlegm are not serious. Other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or fever, may suggest a serious condition. If your symptoms persist or worsen despite using some of the treatment options discussed below, you should speak with your primary care physician.

Is bad-tasting phlegm in the back of your throat normal?

Although bad-tasting phlegm in the back of your throat is not necessarily normal, it may improve without medication. Bad-tasting phlegm that develops suddenly without a previous dry cough may suggest a rapidly progressing condition. If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse or are worried about your symptoms, speak with your primary care physician.

Causes of bad-tasting phlegm in the back of your throat

Bad-tasting phlegm has numerous potential causes. Chronic inflammation of the lungs and airway is one common cause. A history of smoking or other issues clearing the airways are two others. Bad-tasting phlegm may also be caused by infections (such as pneumonia). Sometimes, the culprit is gastrointestinal conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a condition that causes chronic damage and lung changes. It usually starts from an infection, like pneumonia. Then, as a result of infection, there is an impairment in drainage, airway obstruction, or a defect in the immune system response. In simpler terms, a patient with bronchiectasis has impaired mucus clearance, recurrent infections, and persistent cough.

Airway obstruction, structural airway issues, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiencies, asthma, COPD, and chronic smoking history can cause bronchiectasis. Most patients with bronchiectasis have a cough most days of the week. The chronic cough is often associated with the production of thick and foul-smelling sputum that can last for months to years.

Patients with bronchiectasis may also experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and pain around the lungs. During acute episodes of worsening symptoms, patients need treatment with antibiotics. Patients with bronchiectasis typically have a history of multiple respiratory tract infections.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a common condition that affects your lungs’ ability to get rid of carbon dioxide as you breathe out. It is characterized by chronic shortness of breath and cough.

Patients with COPD often experience bad-tasting phlegm with cough. Wheezing may also be present. Patients with COPD can have multiple exacerbations due to frequent respiratory tract infections.

Respiratory Tract Infections

Frequent respiratory tract infections can lead to acute and chronic lung changes. Multiple respiratory tract infections can lead to a restructuring of the lungs in both the larger and smaller airways. These infections include upper respiratory tract infections, which affect the nose, sinuses, and throat. Lower tract infections, which affect the larger airways and lungs, can also lead to bad-tasting phlegm.

Viral and bacterial pneumonia cause cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Viral pneumonia often resolves with supportive care, but bacterial pneumonia requires antibiotics to help prevent long-term complications. You may be at increased risk of developing pneumonia or other respiratory tract infections if you have recently been around anyone with similar symptoms. The elderly and immunocompromised may also be more susceptible to serious infections.

GERD and aspiration

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and aspiration, which is the accidental inhalation of foreign material into the lungs, are not inherently lung issues. They can affect the lungs and lead to respiratory symptoms like cough and bad-tasting phlegm.

GERD is a condition characterized by acid reflux coming up from the stomach. It can cause heartburn, a burning sensation in the throat and chest, cough, and difficulty swallowing. Aspiration occurs when food or other material goes into the trachea and lungs instead of the esophagus. Your lungs do not like having food or any other foreign material there, and its presence can lead to inflammation.

Bad-tasting phlegm can occur if your body is trying to process food or foreign material. These two conditions can increase the risk of developing bad-tasting phlegm.

When you should see a doctor about bad-tasting phlegm in the back of your throat

Bad-tasting phlegm can be a frustrating symptom to deal with. It is important to know when you should seek further evaluation from your primary care physician or at the emergency department.

You should see a doctor if:

• You develop a fever with a temperature of greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• You have worsening phlegm production
• You develop shortness of breath or wheezing
• You continue to have sputum production
• You were recently hospitalized
• You have other medical conditions
• You are not up-to-date on your immunizations

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Your skin turns blue, or you notice other color changes
• You spit up blood
• You develop chest pain
• You lose consciousness or faint
• You are not able to keep anything down, including liquids and food

Questions to ask your doctor about bad-tasting phlegm in the back of your throat

• Do I need a chest X-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI?
• Are there any non-imaging tests that can help identify the cause of my symptoms?
• What medications or prescriptions can help resolve my symptoms?
• What can I do at home to help my symptoms?

Diagnosing bad-tasting phlegm in the back of your throat

A doctor may consider additional workup, including blood work, sputum cultures, or imaging, to help diagnose the cause of your bad-tasting phlegm.

Treatment options for bad-tasting phlegm in the back of your throat

Having options at home to treat your symptoms may be helpful before speaking with your primary care physician.

At-home remedies

Using at-home remedies such as saline rinses can help get rid of any upper airway congestion in your nose or sinuses that may be contributing to phlegm production. The steam from a hot shower can help break down the mucus and phlegm in your lungs and airways. You can also use a humidifier, which helps prevent the air you breathe from being too dry.

Cough suppressants, allergy medications

There are numerous over-the-counter medications you can try. Cough suppressants might be the first thing you should try. You can also take over-the-counter allergy medications if you are experiencing accompanying symptoms of runny nose, itchy or red eyes, or skin irritation.

Antibiotics

If you have an accompanying fever with worsening of your phlegm production, quality, and taste, you may have an infection. Speak with your primary care physician to see if they think you may have bacterial pneumonia. If so, you may require a course of antibiotics, which may help with your symptoms.

Frequently asked questions: bad-tasting phlegm in the back of your throat

Some frequently asked questions about bad-tasting phlegm are discussed below.

What should you do if you have a bad-tasting phlegm and a cough?

This tandem of symptoms may suggest that you have an underlying infection. You should speak with your primary care physician to see if you require further evaluation.

How can you get rid of the taste of bad-smelling phlegm?

Because taste is inherently linked to your sense of smell, using fragrances may help mask the bad taste of your phlegm.

What if the phlegm tastes metallic?

Metallic-tasting phlegm may indicate reflux, as it may be due to acid content in your phlegm.

The bottom line on bad-tasting phlegm

Bad-tasting phlegm is certainly an unpleasant sensation—especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms. It’s natural to be concerned about your symptoms if they persist or worsen. If home remedies do not work, speak with your primary care physician for further evaluation.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Jennifer Nadel, MD.

Sources

Familydoctor.org Editorial Staff. “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) -- Symptoms & Treatment.” Edited by Leisa Bailey, Familydoctor.Org, 28 Feb. 2024, familydoctor.org/condition/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/.

Familydoctor.org Editorial Staff, and Shanda Cook. “Reflux/Acid Reflux (GERD) - Familydoctor.org.” Familydoctor.org, edited by Deepak Patel, 18 Apr. 2022, familydoctor.org/condition/refluxacid-reflux/.

Weycker, Derek, et al. “Prevalence and incidence of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis among US adults in 2013.” Chronic respiratory disease vol. 14,4 (2017): 377-384. doi:10.1177/1479972317709649