Most coughs clear up in about two to three weeks, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. So when a person coughs out mucus, people refer to it as phlegm, but not the mucus that the nose produces. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. You may only cough it up if you are sick or develop a chronic lung disease. All rights reserved. Common flu symptoms include: Thankfully, a flu vaccine is available. You may experience white phlegm with several health conditions. The white blood cells, germs, and other cells and proteins that the body produces during the immune response give the phlegm its green color. These tangles turn patients sputum into stiff stuff thats tough to cough up, recalcitrant to oxygen exchange in the lungs and prone to inflammation as well as consequent fluid buildup. But if you're still sick after about 10 days, it could mean that you could have a bacterial infection. Bruce Goldman is a senior science writer in the Office of Communications. They stop foreign matter from getting into our bodies through our. Taking steps to stay healthy and undergoing treatment may help prevent serious infections. Your body produces clear mucus and phlegm on a daily basis. And go to the emergency department or call 911 for emergency signs and symptoms. Having green, yellow, or thickened phlegm does not always indicate the presence of an infection. Having asthma or allergies can also cause blood in your nose. Wear sunglasses and a face mask to protect pollen from getting in your eyes, nose, and mouth when outdoors on high pollen days. However, he adds that this color isn't always cause for concern. Anyone with pink, red, brown, black, or frothy mucus should contact their doctor or go to the local emergency room for an evaluation. If this does not occur over a prolonged time, this may indicate a bacterial infection. It may also turn white due to the presence of immune cells that your body sends to battle the illness. When you have pink or red mucus, it likely means there's blood in your nose. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This coloration is likely due to an increase in the number of certain immune system cells, or an increase in the enzymes these cells produce. The phase 1 clinical trial led by Bollyky showed thatnot only was the existing formulation of 4-MUwell tolerated at three different doses, but it also significantly lowered hyaluronan levels in the sputum of the participants, who were all healthy and started out with low circulating hyaluronan levels. (2013). This can cause blood to seep into postnasal drip that they then cough out. Nasal discharge can be clear, green, black, and many other colors in between. Scientists use genetic rewiring to increase lifespan of cells, Coughing up white mucus: When to contact a doctor, Reasons for coughing up phlegm without feeling ill. Gastro reflux can also cause people to cough up thick, white sputum. Your body produces around 1.5 liters of this discharge each day, though you likely swallow most of it. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air you breathe. Mix together a saltwater solution using distilled or sterilized water. Levels of a stringy, spongy substance soar in the sputum of COVID-19 patients requiring intubation, accounting for at least some of their breathing trouble. (2021). MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. It can be difficult to self-diagnose what type of lung issue youre having. If you have this condition along with extreme shortness of breath, sweating, and chest pain, call your local emergency services immediately. Antibiotics won't kill, prevent or stop spreading viruses. The green coloring means that lots of white blood cells have been working overtime to fight the infection. It could be related to an infection or to cancer in some cases. But those with severe COVID-19 who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may have a buildup of phlegm in the lungs. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Heres your guide to different conditions that produce phlegm, why it might be different colors, and when you should see a doctor. Instead, you simply need to eat well, hydrate, and rest to heal. Color isnt always the best indicator of whether you should see your doctor. COVID-19 is a type coronavirus not previously identified in humans responsible for an outbreak of respiratory illness that became a global pandemic in 2020. If you see green or yellow phlegm, its usually a sign that your body is fighting an infection. in your lungs. Moment commuter blasts eco-zealots, Unseen footage of Meghan Markle during her teenage years, Russian freight train derails and bursts into flames after explosion, Royal superfans camping on The Mall ahead of King's Coronation, Women's rights activists and pro-trans campaigners separated, Cambridge students party in the park during annual celebrations, Saboteurs wreck Russian train cut power cables 37mi from Ukraine, Hundreds of Household Division members rehearse for coronation, Braverman: People crossing Channel are 'at odds with British values', Moment large saltwater crocodile snatches pet dog off beach in QLD, Devastating tornado picks up car and hurls it through air in Florida, Historic chairs to be reused by the King for the coronation service. Many sinus infections go away on their own without antibiotics, but some do require treatment. See additional information. But phlegm refers to mucus that the lungs specifically produce. Yellow or green-colored mucus likely points to a viral condition, such as the flu. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. What does the color of your mucus mean, exactly? Green mucus isn't a reason for immediate concern. Can't stop coughing? Phlegm is produced by your respiratory system as protection for your lungs. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Ac., CYT, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Everything You Need to Know About Pneumonia, 5 Tips for Living Well with Cystic Fibrosis, How to Tell the Difference Between RSV and a Cold, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To reduce your chances of getting and spreading the flu, get the flu vaccine every year. While phlegm is a normal part of the respiratory system, its not normal if its affecting your everyday life. Another term for phlegm is sputum. Black phlegm may indicate the presence of a fungal infection, a history of smoking, or other substances that a person has inhaled regularly. As can COPD, which makes the airways narrow and the lungs produce an abnormal amount of mucus. Avoid contact with others unless absolutely necessary. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patient Question: I am 3 weeks post COVID. In other situations, blood in the mucus can indicate the presence of a serious medical condition such as tuberculosis, an abscess, or lung cancer. We found a ton of hyaluronan in there, Bollyky said. They usually peak in severity between days three and five. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. This phlegm is mostly filled with water, protein, antibodies, and some dissolved salts to help lubricate and moisturize your respiratory system. People who use drugs may also have black snot. But even a mild cold can trigger asthma symptoms, so if you catch a cold, you want to take it seriously. If using the essential oil directly, a person should dilute it in a little coconut or almond oil before applying it to the chest. Take precautions while doing yard work. How to get rid of snot drainage or congestion, marshfieldclinic.org/specialties/allergies/allergies-allergic-and-non-allergic-rhinitis-frequently-asked-questions, link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-4546-9_27, enthealth.org/conditions/fungal-sinusitis/, health.ucsd.edu/news/features/Pages/2017-08-31-listicle-nose-colored-glasses.aspx, kidshealth.org/en/parents/nose-bleed.html, aafa.org/rhinitis-nasal-allergy-hayfever/, health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129, healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/ear-nose-throat/Pages/The-Difference-Between-Sinusitis-and-a-Cold.aspx, How to Get Rid of Phlegm: Tips, Home Remedies, and Medications to Try, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Antibiotic resistance. While not common, people with compromised immune systems may be susceptible to this type of illness. It might also alleviate lung congestion that persists in severe COVID-19 patients after the virus has left the scene, Bollyky said. There are anti-viral treatments for the flu that can reduce symptoms. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: Think your snot may be the result of allergies? In any case, enzymes are not only expensive but finicky they have to be handled with great care if they are to remain intact and active. Learn more here. (2021). Drink lots of water at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day to help thin your mucus for easier blowing. Even more depleted immune cells and waste products are being flushed out, making your nasal discharge appear dark. The common cold can make you feel generally unwell. Like COVID-19, call your doctor before walking into their office if you have symptoms or have been exposed to the flu. While it is likely due to bleeding that happened a while ago, it can also indicate a chronic infection such as bronchitis. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000247.pub3. Your doctor may have a special process for you to follow so you dont risk spreading it to other patients and staff. Follow the Yellow/Caution Zone on your Asthma Action Plan. The color of phlegm can offer useful information about what may be happening with the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system. The patients ranged in age from 5 to 70. This article discusses the various colors your discharge can take onclear, white, yellow, green pink, red, orange, brown, and blackand their possible causes. Keep your windows closed during high pollen and mold seasons. Have you ever wondered where snot comes from and why colds, allergies, and crying make nasal mucus more obvious? People with asthma, as well as senior adults and people with other pre-existing conditions, are at high risk from complications from the flu. Being dehydrated or even sleeping can cause the phlegm to move slower and become thicker than usual. Sometimes, phlegm can become thick and bothersome. The only treatment for a cold is rest and time. Support Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and child and maternal health. As the icy weather approaches, many start coughing and spluttering while they battle winter colds and flu. White blood cells are the cells of the immune system that are responsible for fighting germs. Learn about how to get rid of phlegm, both at home and at the doctor's office. Kratochvil MJ, Kaber G, Demirdjian S, et al. Allergic rhinitis or hay fever may also cause clear, runny nasal discharge. Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies. For more information, please visit med.stanford.edu. Uncontrolled rhinitis can lead to sinusitis, a sinus infection. Other underlying causes may also affect phlegm color. Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. Get emergency medical help if you have watery discharge along with: White mucus is often associated with a cold or other infection that causes a stuffy nose. A leak happens when theres a tear in the membranes surrounding your brain, likely from injury or certain medical conditions, like hydrocephalus. Is it both pink and frothy? But its current formulation is not optimized to treat chronic disease. The dreaded flu It's estimated that 60,000 hospitalizations each year could be avoided if more people got the vaccine, said Dr. Charles Bregier, Novant Health medical director of corporate health. Bollyky shares senior authorship of the study withCarlos Milla, MD, professor of pediatric pulmonary medicine;Angela Rogers, MD, associate professor of pulmonary and critical care;Andrew Spakowitz, PhD, professor of chemical engineering and of materials science and engineering; andSarah Heilshorn, PhD, professor of materials science and of engineering and director of theGeballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. No. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A lot of coughing, such as with a respiratory infection, can sometimes cause small blood vessels in the lungs or airways to break and bleed. Phlegm is a type of mucus produced in the chest, which we make every day to clear irritations from our throats and keep our airways moist. Unless you have an underlying medical condition, you may try at-home comfort measures to clear your congestion. Boogers are our body's natural defense against things like bacteria and viruses. Discover why alcohol use disorder is a major risk factor, complications. It starts to become dry, making it cloudy and thick. Call before you go to your doctors office and ask for instructions. If you start having trouble breathing when sick with a cold, start following the Yellow/Caution Zone on your Asthma Action Plan. The best way to manage it is to take your asthma medicines, avoid your triggers, and treat asthma symptoms as soon as they occur. Among other functions, it helps cement cells into place in intact tissues. When this happens, the phlegm cus becomes thicker and cloudy or white. Sniffing and swallowing the nasal mucus is another option in the short term. It consists of water, salts, antibodies, and other immune system cells. Apaperpublished May 2 inThe Journal of Clinical Investigationdescribes a recently concluded clinical trial, led by Bollyky, of a small-molecule drug thats been shown in lab studies to prevent the buildup of hyaluronan. My snot is green: A look at what your mucus says about your health, Patient education: Nonallergic rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose), Antibiotics for the common cold and acute purulent rhinitis, Biochemical, biophysical, and immunological characterization of respiratory secretions in severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, Antibiotic prescribing and use in doctor's offices: Sinus infection (sinusitis), Patient education: Acute sinusitis (sinus infection), What the color of your snot really means: decoding the various possible hues, The skinny on snot: What your child's mucus says about their health, During the early stages of a cold or other viral illness, Headaches that get better or worse with a change in position, Dry nasal passages due to illness or weather, Prolonged bleeding for more than 30 minutes, Heavy bleeding, or more than a tablespoon of blood, A prolonged fever of at least 102 degrees F, Pain and pressure in your sinuses and face, Symptoms that persist for more than 10 days, A pattern in which you start to feel better and then get sick again (this is a sign of a secondary infection, such as a bacterial infection after a virus), Fever that lasts for more than three days, Trouble breathing, fast breathing, or wheezing. Although you may feel quite ill, allergies arent caused by a virus. People who have white, yellow, or green mucus that is present for more than a few days, or if they experience other symptoms, such as fever, chills, a cough, or sinus pain, should speak with a doctor. Red/Danger Zone symptoms are a medical emergency. These patients are literally drowning in their own respiratory secretions, Bollyky said, butthat accumulation isexceptionally difficult to dislodge, contributing to the infamous dry cough of COVID-19. Some of the conditions on this list are viral. can indicate a bacterial . If you see any shade of red, brown, or black phlegm, or are experiencing frothy sputum, make an appointment right away. The virus can impact your lungs in a number of ways. It may just mean that there is blood or dried blood in your nose. Clear snot is considered normal or healthy. Congestive heart failure is another culprit, which occurs when the heart gradually loses its ability to pump blood around the body. Common cold symptoms include a mild temperature of 99 degrees, a sore throat, runny nose, cough and thick mucus that changes color. Bollyky presumes that the high levels of free-floating DNA in COVID-19 sputum results from dead lung and immune cells breaking open and spilling out their contents. These drugs are prescribed more carefully today. If its another color like brown, red, or black, you may have coughed up blood and may be experiencing a more serious condition. Colds and the flu. Clear mucus production also naturally increases during the winter months to help warm up cold air so it is less harsh on the lungs. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. People should try to get lots of rest and stay hydrated. The color brown often means old blood.