Brits are being urged to check the colour of their snot as the new H3N2 subclade K flu spreads, with experts revealing said that paying attention to the mucus on your tissues can reveal key clues
We’re all familiar with the classic signs of flu – from sore throats to achey muscles – but how much do you know about your snot?
A new ‘super flu’ strain is sweeping across the UK, with the number of hospitalisations soaring to record levels for this time of year. If you’ve been unlucky enough to catch the H3N2 subclade K variant, you’re likely full of mucus.
And if you have ever taken a look after blowing your nose, you will know snot does not always look the same. It can be clear. Yellow. Green. Even red or black. While it might seem gross, the colour of your snot can actually tell you a lot about what is going on inside your body.
According to the NHS, your body produces around 1.7 litres of mucus every day. Most of it you swallow without noticing. But snot or phlegm is your body’s first line of defence. It traps viruses and bacteria and contains antibodies that help fight infection. Now experts have revealed key changes to look out for in your snot – including a sign that you need to go and see your GP.
Clear
Clear snot is normal and usually a good sign, the NHS says. If your nose is very runny, it could point to an allergy. Mild clear mucus often clears up within days or weeks.
In rarer cases, a constant clear drip can be caused by nasal polyps. These are non-cancerous growths in the nose. The NHS says they are not usually serious but can grow and block the nose if left untreated.
Yellow
Snot that turns yellow can mean your body is fighting an infection. Pharmacist Rita Ghelani told The Sun that the colour comes from white blood cells being flushed out with mucus. “You are probably feeling rough and very blocked up,” she said.
Green
Green snot suggests the infection has properly taken hold. Rita, who worked with nasal spray brand Xlear, said your immune system is in overdrive at this stage. “You might have a temperature and feel feverish… it may be wise to speak to your doctor or pharmacist,” she said.
White
White snot often appears with a cold or nasal infection. Dr Raj Sindwani from the Cleveland Clinic said it usually comes with congestion. Speaking to the New York Post, he explained that inflammation slows the flow of mucus, making it thicker and cloudy.
Rita said white snot is usually nothing to worry about. But if you have asthma and are producing lots of white phlegm, it could be a sign your airways are inflamed. According to Asthma and Lung, taking your preventer inhaler as prescribed is the key way to manage this.
Red or brown
Red or brown snot usually means there is dried blood in your nose. Dr Raj said full red mucus is often linked to a nosebleed caused by trauma or infection. “A few specks of blood or a pink tinge may not be a big deal,” he said. “It can be irritation or damage to the lining of the nose.”
Black
Black snot is most often seen in smokers or people living in heavily polluted areas. In rare cases, it can signal a serious fungal sinus infection. These include conditions such as fungal sinusitis. They usually affect people with weakened immune systems, according to the World Health Organisation.
How long should you be snotty for
Pharmacist Abbas Kanani from Chemist Click said how long symptoms last depends on the cause. A cold or flu usually clears within seven to 10 days. Bronchitis or a sinus infection can last several weeks.
Chronic sinusitis can drag on for months. Long term conditions such as COPD or chronic bronchitis can cause phlegm for months or even years.
When to see a GP
You should see a doctor urgently if you are coughing up large amounts of blood or constantly seeing red phlegm. If your mucus is coloured, persistent and not improving after a few days, it is also worth seeing your GP.
Kanani said to get advice if symptoms come with fever, chest pain, breathing problems, night chills or unexplained weight loss. And if you have a long term condition such as COPD, any change in colour, amount or frequency of phlegm should be checked.
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