Pediatrician Kristina Duda stated that the color of nasal discharge during a cold and flu can tell a lot about the body's condition during this period.
The meaning of different shades of mucus was explained by her in an interview with El Periodico De España.
According to Duda, at the early stage of a cold, clear mucus is usually produced. This is also characteristic of both allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. The white color indicates inflammation in the nasal passages and the presence of immune cells in the discharge fighting the illness, the doctor added.
Yellow mucus indicates the progression of the pathology to a mild form of infection, she added. Meanwhile, a green shade signifies a fierce battle of the body against microbes and viruses. Red mucus is a result of nose-picking, but it can also occur during pregnancy or due to some injury. Black discharge is extremely rare and usually appears in cases of fungal infection, Duda concluded.
