- #1
Gerenuk
- 1,027
- 5
Why do we sneeze out this yellow stuff, when we have a cold? Does it have to do with bacteria? Are they collected somehow?
What Color is Snot When Sick and Why?
- Context: Medical
- Thread starter Gerenuk
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the color of mucus (snot) during illness, particularly when experiencing a cold. Participants explore the biological mechanisms behind mucus production, its coloration, and implications for health, touching on concepts related to the immune response and infection.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions whether the yellow color of mucus is related to bacteria and how it is collected during a cold.
- Another participant explains that mucus is typically clear and becomes colored due to the presence of neutrophils, which are attracted to fight infections, suggesting that the enzyme myeloperoxidase contributes to the greenish color.
- There is a query about whether this process occurs only in the nose and the transport of pathogens to that area.
- A participant describes the nose's mucous membrane as a filter for air, highlighting its role in pathogen access.
- Discussion includes the term "purulent rhinitis" for colored mucus and mentions outdated medical practices regarding antibiotic prescriptions based on mucus color.
- Another participant notes that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, suggesting a shift in understanding treatment approaches.
- One contribution posits that the yellow mucus indicates a lower immune response, with immune cells releasing cytotoxins and causing damage to both pathogens and normal cells.
- A later post suggests that the color of mucus can indicate the state of the immune system, with clear mucus indicating safety, yellow suggesting a battle against infection, and green indicating a severe infection.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express varying views on the implications of mucus color, the role of bacteria, and the effectiveness of antibiotics, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.
Contextual Notes
Some statements rely on assumptions about the immune response and the interpretation of mucus color, which may not be universally accepted or validated. The discussion also reflects evolving medical understanding regarding treatment and diagnosis.
- #2
Monique
Staff Emeritus
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I'll venture an answer to this sticky question 
Mucus is normally clear, it functions as a natural protection mechanism of your body. During an infection you produce an increased amount of mucus and white blood cells (neutrophils) are attracted to the area to fight the infection. The neutrophils will try and combat the infection by engulfing the pathogen and secreting toxins. Some will die in the process, creating a pus. The enzyme myeloperoxidase that is excreted by the neutrophils seems to be to blame for a greenish color of infected mucus, due to the high iron-content.
Mucus is normally clear, it functions as a natural protection mechanism of your body. During an infection you produce an increased amount of mucus and white blood cells (neutrophils) are attracted to the area to fight the infection. The neutrophils will try and combat the infection by engulfing the pathogen and secreting toxins. Some will die in the process, creating a pus. The enzyme myeloperoxidase that is excreted by the neutrophils seems to be to blame for a greenish color of infected mucus, due to the high iron-content.- #3
Gerenuk
- 1,027
- 5
Oh scary... 
And this happens in the nose only? Why?
There is not transport of pathogens to the nose?
And this happens in the nose only? Why?
There is not transport of pathogens to the nose?
- #4
Monique
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Science Advisor
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Your nose is lined by a thin mucous membrane, it is where the outside air is filtered and moistened before it enters your lungs. It is where pathogens have easy access, they also really like the moist environment.
- #5
hypatia
- 1,177
- 10
Purulent rhinitis, is the correct name for colored snots. A out dated rule of thought was if your snot was yellow or green, the Doctor would automatically give you antibiotics. Now they know better, and wait for other signs of infection. Most often we just ride it out, with a lot of tea and soup.
- #6
Monique
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Especially since antibiotics don't work against a viral infection.hypatia said:
- #7
lyu0001
- 1
- 0
It possibly means that you have lower immune system while foreigh infections attacked your body. Immune cells couldn't clean faster than normal condition and caused cell damages that what the yellow stuff you see.
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Immune cells clean infections by releasing cytotoxins, interleukin factors ,etc. The damage includes pathogens, infeceted cells and normal injured cells.
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Immune cells clean infections by releasing cytotoxins, interleukin factors ,etc. The damage includes pathogens, infeceted cells and normal injured cells.
- #8
WadeS
- 13
- 0
That is bacteria or more like slavia. It's not only yellow depending on how sick you are it will change: Clear=your imune system is safe. Yellow= you're immune system is in war but is winning.Green= very bad,you're immune system is losing to bacteria. Green rarely happens but to be sure I'm proud to tell you so it can prevent more sickness.
Wade.
Wade.
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