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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]
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.
“Really dark brown, tenacious phlegm is seen in patients who have cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis.” Blood and inflammation provide the brown color, and antibiotics are sometimes required to ...
"The phlegm is brown because of blood and the intense chronic inflammation that comes with the chronic disease state. The bacteria camp out inside the lungs and cause very gradual changes in the ...
Phlegm can lead to congestion, coughing, and breathing problems. We spoke to medical experts on the causes, symptoms, and treatments of phlegm.
Normally, fresh morning sample is preferred for the bacteriological examination of sputum. [2] A sample of sputum is collected in a sterile, wide-mouthed, dry, leak-proof and break-resistant plastic-container and sent to the laboratory for testing. [2]
Mucins thicken mucus, and their concentration has been found to be high in cases of chronic bronchitis, and also to correlate with the severity of the disease. [39] Excess mucus can narrow the airways, thereby limiting airflow and accelerating the decline in lung function, and result in COPD.
Other symptoms include coughing up mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, fever, and chest discomfort. [2] The infection may last from a few to ten days. [2] The cough may persist for several weeks afterward with the total duration of symptoms usually around three weeks. [2] [1] Some have symptoms for up to six weeks. [3]