Coughing is a normal reaction of the body to clear the throat and windpipe when something you swallow "goes down the wrong way." The cough is helpful and may relieve the problem.

You might have a violent coughing spell when liquids "go down the wrong way." The liquid is usually not a problem and will often clear with coughing.

When food or another object is partially blocking the windpipe, you may cough, gag, or develop difficulty breathing. Coughing may pop the object out of the windpipe. If you cannot cough the object out on your own, a visit to your health professional is necessary. Gagging can also occur in an attempt to vomit an object that is stuck in the esophagus.

An infection in the lungs can develop if food, liquids, vomit, or an object is inhaled past the windpipe into the respiratory tract after a choking episode. Symptoms of a lung infection include shortness of breath, a cough, a fever, or a wheeze that may begin hours, days, or even weeks after inhaling the food or object. Blood from the lungs can be coughed up and appears as bright red or rust-colored sputum (hemoptysis).