People with sinus infections often notice that they cough up green or yellow phlegm or that the mucus they blow out of their nose is a bright color. Sinusitis causes a lot of mucus production, and a person may find they are unable to clear the sinuses no matter how often they blow their nose.
COVID-19 produces a dry cough without mucus, while a sinus infection produces a wet cough with mucus. COVID-19 and a sinus infection can both cause shortness of breath, though, with a sinus infection, this symptom is usually only present in severe cases.
This happens when mucous accumulates in the back of the sinuses and, yes, drips down into the throat and chest. Post-nasal drip usually means more mucous gets into your chest. Having a phlemy sounding cough, and coughing up all that mucous (what doctors call a “productive” cough), is a classic sinus infection symptom.
Determining how long your sinus infection will last is dependent on what type you are experiencing. Acute sinusitis lasts for less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis can last for more than 12 weeks. The majority of sinus infection sufferers will see their symptoms start to resolve after about 10 days.
Most coughs after a sinus infection clear up within a couple of weeks as you continue to feel better and your sinus inflammation resolves, but some people can develop a cough that lasts weeks or even months.
Coughing up phlegm is a normal symptom of colds and other health conditions. But coughing up phlegm without feeling sick could indicate a more serious underlying issue like heart or lung disease.
Sinus conditions, such as sinusitis, can produce postnasal drip. This drip sometimes feels like a tickle in the back of your throat, and drainage can lead to chronic cough. This tickle happens when the amount of draining mucus is more than usual.
Post-nasal drip, also known as upper airway cough syndrome, can lead to a lingering cough. It occurs when mucus builds up in the back of the nose and drips down into the throat. Allergies or sinusitis, which is inflammation or an infection in the sinus, can cause post-nasal drip.
See a doctor if you have: Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain. Symptoms that get worse after improving. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
If you cough up phlegm, this is a sign that your airways have become inflamed. If you notice small amounts of white or clear mucus, do not be concerned. But recurring, thick mucus can be a sign of a bacterial infection; have it checked out by a medical professional.
So here's the big question: Should you spit or swallow your phlegm? Even though it might taste nasty, “there's nothing wrong with swallowing it,” Dr. Comer says. In fact, that's probably what your body expects you to do, which is why phlegm naturally drains down into the back of your throat.
Phlegm is a thick mucus from the lower airways due to lung inflammation or injury. Infection is a common cause, but other conditions like allergies, lung disease, and GERD can cause a productive cough. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and includes supportive care and medications.
Viral infections are spread the same way as bacterial infections. The difference is that the viral infection will start to improve after 5 to 7 days of the initial onset of the symptoms. There is no one definitive way for a doctor to determine if you have a bacterial or viral sinus infection based on symptoms alone.
In the case of sinusitis, mucus often drains down the back of the throat leading to the dreaded symptom of post-nasal drip which can also make your throat sore and cause a persistent cough. If you develop bronchitis, mucus collects in swollen bronchial tubes which makes you cough -- a lot.
In certain patients, however, the infection can result in lower respiratory symptoms such as cough and chest congestion, eventually turning into bronchitis, sometimes even pneumonia. This typically occurs from infected post nasal drainage entering the lungs.
Though they're always at work, you typically only notice the sticky substances when you're sick. Mucus and phlegm are similar, yet different: Mucus is a thinner secretion from your nose and sinuses. Phlegm is thicker and is made by your throat and lungs.
The color of phlegm may help to indicate the cause of a cough and excess respiratory mucus production. Phlegm may be clear, cream, white, yellow, green, rust-colored, or red. Lung diseases not related to infection, such as asthma or emphysema, tend to cause clear phlegm.
Even if you're coughing up yellow or green phlegm, you might not need antibiotics. Your mucus color alone can't tell you if a virus or bacteria is causing your cough. If your cough lasts longer than 3 weeks, it's time to see a healthcare provider. You may need an X-ray or antibiotics.
The main symptoms of a chest infection can include: a persistent cough. coughing up yellow or green phlegm (thick mucus), or coughing up blood. breathlessness or rapid and shallow breathing.
A bronchitis cough sounds like a rattle with a wheezing or whistling sound. As your condition progresses, you will first have a dry cough that can then progress towards coughing up white mucus.
They are the frontal sinuses, maxillary sinuses, ethmoid sinuses, and sphenoid sinuses (not shown in illustration). If the opening from a sinus cavity becomes plugged, the flow of mucus is blocked and pressure builds up, causing pain and inflammation.
Untreated sinusitis allows bacteria and other harmful pathogens to enter the bloodstream and travel all throughout the body, leading to the following potentially life-threatening conditions. Meningitis develops when infection targets the brain or spinal fluid. It requires immediate medical attention.