Can Mucus Color and Consistency Determine Your Illness?

The Truth About Mucus 

While you may beg to differ, mucus is a GOOD thing. It is one of the many ways your body protects itself from sickness. But things change: Does mucus color and consistency determine your illness?

Your respiratory tract makes about 1 to 1 1/2 quarts of mucus per day. This fluid quietly bathes your sinuses and other parts of your respiratory tract. It consists of antibodies, white blood cells, and other substances that help protect your airway from allergens, viruses, and bacteria. Typically and inconspicuously, the mucus empties into your stomach. When your body senses a problem like an allergy, a virus, or bacteria, inflammation begins, and more mucus is produced.

The Color of Mucus

For years, patients and healthcare providers have used the color of mucus to gauge the severity and type of illness a person had. However, many sources now state that the color of mucus alone is not a good way to evaluate your symptoms: You can have clear mucus and a terrible sinus infection (1)(2). You can have green mucus when it is NOT a sinus infection. So who is to know? It would be best if you looked at the whole picture. Ask the questions: Do you have pain? Fever? How long have you been ill? Do you have a personal history of sinus problems? Does your mucus just have color in the morning (mucus just sits in the sinus cavity all night, so it is often discolored when you awaken). Consider ALL of those factors. Again, sinus infections and bronchitis almost always start as viral illnesses. You may be given prescriptions for symptoms, but do not expect your healthcare provider to provide you with an antibiotic immediately. I cannot stress this enough.

Of course, like everything, there will be exceptions. Sometimes, there is a sense of urgency (i.e., "Doc, I have surgery in a week"). But, if you are healthy without underlying health problems (i.e., diabetes, heart and lung problems), and things are not bad, if it's just the beginning of your respiratory illness, I am not sure I would waste my time or money going to a healthcare provider. Try running your symptoms by a "friendly pharmacist" (they are incredibly knowledgeable), or check for some symptomatic approaches (sinus drainage, sore throat, cough).

No matter the cause—allergy, virus, or bacteria—this dark, warm, and moist environment can lay the groundwork for a sinus or bronchial infection several days after the onset. However, antibiotics are generally not given for prophylaxis; they are not given to prevent a person from getting a bacterial infection.

Sometimes, mucus color helps people and practitioners interpret their signs and symptoms. The following is a collection of suggestions regarding discolored mucus (based primarily on ENT, sinus, and Health News sources):

CLEAR - Mucus is usually clear and flows around our respiratory tract, quietly cleaning and keeping it healthy. 

LIGHT WHITE -- This is often the beginning of something, typically a cold, especially if becoming more runny. Mucus production increases to clear particulates, bacteria, and viruses. Usually, in these first few days, it is viral and most contagious. It typically does not require an antibiotic (and most healthcare providers will not give you one because it is likely a virus - antibiotics will not help.)

YELLOW - This seems to indicate the progression of symptoms of sinusitis (less than 50% bacteria). It is usually recommended to wait it out about seven to ten days before seeking an antibiotic and, in the meantime, treat it with a symptomatic approach. 

GREEN - People worry about green mucus. The green color is from white blood cell proteins. An increase in green means that you DO have an infection: the white blood cells are increasing and working on fighting off an infection, Bacterial OR viral. This does not mean that you are losing the battle at all. In most cases, it does not mean you have a horrible infection. It means YOUR BODY IS DOING ITS JOB! 

BROWN—This is often caused by smoke and other pollutants or particles in the air. Ask yourself where you were last night. Were you around smoke, a wood stove, or mowing yesterday? Do you breathe that stuff in all day long at work? If you have this over the long term, it may be a more serious condition, so I would want to follow up.

DARKER BROWN OR RUST - If it's the color of a person's nasal drainage, it may be old blood mixed in with mucus or bacteria. Something like this from the lungs may indicate pneumonia, especially when accompanied by chest pain, possibly back pain, and shortness of breath. It would be wise to follow up with a healthcare provider.

BLACK OR DARK GRAY—This type of mucus should make you look back at the surroundings you have been in for the last few days. Were you inhaling particles from your environment? Were you around smokers? If it is ongoing and you do not think it is caused by inhaling particles, it may warrant investigation, as it can be a fungal infection.

PINK - Pink sinus drainage is likely a bit of blood mixed in with other sinus drainage. (In the lungs, pink, frothy sputum - especially if accompanied by shortness of breath and chest pain - is often a serious problem that warrants a trip to the ER. It can indicate more severe issues: Worsening congestive heart failure [CHF] or a pulmonary embolism [blood clots]). 

BLOOD - When you have a sinus problem, you might blow out tiny streaks of blood from your nose mixed in with other mucus. This blood is typically from sinus irritation. Because drainage often goes down your throat as a "postnasal drip," you might also cough out minimal amounts of blood-streaked mucus. Or, you may have a full-blown nosebleed. If you are unable to stop it by usual measures (especially if it is bleeding profusely), you may need to go to urgent care or the ER. See a provider if you have frequent or severe nose bleeds. They can be caused by irritation of blood vessels in the nasal cavity, but they can also indicate an underlying medical problem. If you are on blood thinners or are taking aspirin, speak to your healthcare provider.

A nosebleed can be caused by several things: Irritation due to allergies, colds, sneezing, or sinus problems. Very cold or dry air. Blowing your nose too hard, picking your nose, or can be from using various medications (especially blood thinners -including aspirin and nasal sprays).

Coughing up streaks of blood frequently, or even just sometimes, in the absence of sinus problems, may be a reason for concern. OR if you are coughing up a significant amount of red blood, it should not be ignored. It could be a sign of a serious lung problem and should be investigated by a healthcare provider.

So Much Mucus

Q&A : Mucus

1. Does mucus get thicker when you drink milk?

   Milk causes mucus in your mouth to get thicker, but does not cause your body to MAKE thicker mucus elsewhere. (3)

   
   

2. Why is my mucus thicker and darker in the morning? If you have any inflammation in your nasal/sinus cavities during the night, it will cause postnasal drainage. Because of gravity, this mucus goes down into the back of your throat, where it tends to accumulate overnight, becoming thick, dry, and often discolored. Congestion, which causes mouth breathing, contributes to the dryness.

   
   

3. If mucus is so good for me and helps my infection, why would I want to dry it up with over-the-counter medicines like antihistamines and decongestants? You might want to dry up your mucus for comfort (a runny nose can be uncomfortable and irritating), stop mucus from going down your throat (may cause sore throat and eventually cough), and some people dry up mucus for personal presentability. You must ALSO stay well hydrated!

   
   

4. Can postnasal drainage make me nauseated?

   Yes. The stomach may become irritated by excess mucus, which can sometimes cause nausea and sometimes vomiting.