Cold and flu season is here, and you might already be reaching for tissues. But before you toss that tissue, take a quick look at the mucus color—it might tell you more than you think.We asked Mbuyi Kalemba, PA-C, a family medicine physician assistant at Hartford HealthCare, to explain what different mucus colors could mean and when to talk to your doctor. Here’s what you need to know.
What is mucus, and why does our body produce it?
Mucus is a glue-like fluid produced by mucous membranes and glands, made up of mucin, leukocytes, inorganic salts, water and epithelial cells.In short — it’s a good thing.“The body produces mucus to keep tissues lubricated and to trap irritants and foreign materials,” says Kalemba. “It also plays an important role in the immune system.”When healthy mucus does its job well, it’s usually clear, thin, and watery (or white)—signs of adequate hydration.
