Health experts are urging the British public to pay close attention to the colour of their nasal mucus as a powerful new strain of influenza, dubbed a 'super flu', causes a significant surge in hospitalisations across the country.
What Your Mucus Colour Reveals About Your Health
The H3N2 subclade K flu variant is spreading rapidly, with record numbers of people falling ill for this time of year. While symptoms like sore throats and muscle aches are well-known, the appearance of your snot can be a critical indicator of your body's fight against infection.
According to the NHS, the body produces approximately 1.7 litres of mucus daily, most of which is swallowed unnoticed. This substance acts as a primary defence, trapping viruses and bacteria while containing infection-fighting antibodies.
A Guide to Snot Shades and Their Meanings
Clear mucus is typically normal and may indicate allergies. A persistently runny clear nose can, in rarer instances, signal nasal polyps, which are non-cancerous growths.
Yellow snot often means your body is actively combating an infection. Pharmacist Rita Ghelani explains this colour comes from white blood cells being expelled with the mucus, usually accompanied by feeling very rough and blocked up.
Green mucus suggests the infection has firmly taken hold and your immune system is in overdrive. At this stage, you may have a temperature and feel feverish, making it wise to consult a doctor or pharmacist.
White snot commonly appears with colds or nasal infections, often thickened due to congestion and inflammation. While usually not a major concern, asthmatics producing lots of white phlegm should monitor it as a sign of airway inflammation.
Red or brown tinges usually indicate the presence of dried blood, often from minor irritation or a nosebleed. A few specks are generally not alarming.
Black mucus is most frequently seen in smokers or those in heavily polluted areas. In rare cases, it can signal a serious fungal sinus infection, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Pharmacist Abbas Kanani from Chemist Click advises that while cold or flu symptoms typically clear within seven to ten days, persistent coloured mucus that does not improve after several days warrants a GP visit.
You should seek urgent medical attention if coughing up significant amounts of blood, experiencing constant red phlegm, or if symptoms are accompanied by fever, chest pain, breathing difficulties, night chills, or unexplained weight loss.
Individuals with long-term conditions like COPD or chronic bronchitis should have any change in their phlegm's colour, amount, or frequency checked by a professional.
