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Phlegm is more related to disease than mucus, and can be troublesome for the individual to excrete from the body. Phlegm is a thick secretion in the airway during disease and inflammation. Phlegm usually contains mucus with virus, bacteria, other debris, and sloughed-off inflammatory cells.
Mucopurulent discharge is the emission or secretion of fluid containing mucus and pus (muco-pertaining to mucus and purulent pertaining to pus) from the eye, nose, cervix, vagina or other part of the body due to infection and inflammation. Types include:
Having green, yellow, or thickened phlegm (sputum) does not always indicate the presence of an infection. Also, if an infection is present, the color of the phlegm (sputum) does not determine whether a virus, a bacterium or another pathogen has caused it. Simple allergies can also cause changes in the color of the mucus. [1]
Mucus has trillions of microbes and is a first line of defense against microorganisms that cause infections, the NIH says. "Mucus is very helpful in terms of our immune system," Elliott says.
“Raw garlic, when chopped or crushed to release its beneficial compounds, can help fight infection.” Horseradish, wasabi, and hot chili peppers can also help thin mucus and clear airways, he ...
Thickening of mucus as a "rebound" effect following overuse of decongestants may produce nasal or sinus drainage problems and circumstances that promote infection. During cold, dry seasons, the mucus lining nasal passages tends to dry out, meaning that mucous membranes must work harder, producing more mucus to keep the cavity lined.
Yellowish mucus typically means that your white blood cells are "fighting off an illness or infection," says Nasseri. "Most commonly this is linked to the common cold and will likely clear on its own.
The mucosa is composed of one or more layers of epithelial cells that secrete mucus, and an underlying lamina propria of loose connective tissue. [1] The type of cells and type of mucus secreted vary from organ to organ and each can differ along a given tract. [2] [3]