Is Green Mucus A Bad Sign?
TeenHealthFX is glad you asked this question. There is a lot of debate as to whether or not green mucus actually means anything. According to WebMD, the color of your mucus can indicate an infection, but there is no data to confirm whether or not it is a bacteria infection. Many people believe that if your mucus is green it is a sign that you have a bacteria infection and need antibiotics, however there is no clear-cut confirmation.
Believe it or not, the human body produces 1-1.5 liters of mucus a day and most of it goes unnoticed! The following is a breakdown of what the color of your mucus means:
Clear- no infection, possible allergies
White – a cold may be coming on as your immune system kicks into gear. The thicker white mucus means white bloods are doing their jobs.
Green/Yellow – is usually a sign that you have an infection (virus or bacteria). “The green color comes from a protein released from your inflammatory cells”.(WebMD)
As a result, it is important to remember that the color of your mucus is not a direct result of what is wrong. If you are feeling ill and do not get better within a few days, it is a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. A viral infection (cold/flu) will go away on its own whereas a bacterial infection (strep throat) requires antibiotics to get better.
