2023-11-26 07:00:02
When we get sick, our nose may run or become congested. This situation which prevents us from breathing properly can be uncomfortable. Why does our body react like this?
The answer is quite simple. Producing mucus – or “snot” – is one of the ways our body keeps us healthy. Mucus permanently lines the nose, throat, lungs and other parts of the body to protect it from bad bacteria, viruses and other particles. . Our body continually produces mucus to fight and eliminate germs.
Image d’illustration Pixabay
When we are sick, our immune system speeds up and produces more mucus to kill germs. Although it may seem gross, mucus is very helpful.
A very slimy defender
Our body creates mucus from a mixture of water, proteins and salts. Its sticky texture traps bad microorganisms and other unwanted particles, such as dust or mold, so that they cannot penetrate deeper into our body.
Certain components of mucus prevent bacteria from gathering together and becoming more dangerous. Other elements can even kill invaders that try to make us sick. And although scientists do not completely understand how, the proteins and genes behind mucus seem to work together (In set theory, a set intuitively denotes a collection…) to make it thicker and stickier if necessary.
Mucus is very useful in fighting unwanted people.
Alphavector/Shutterstock
Once germs or other potentially harmful particles are trapped and neutralized, the body gets rid of them by producing so much mucus that you have to blow your nose, sneeze or cough to get them out.
When we are sick, our nose sometimes turns red. This is because the immune system, in addition to producing mucus, sends additional white blood cells to the source of the infection. As they rush to the scene to help fight the infection, the extra white blood cells dilate the blood vessels in the area, causing our noses to appear red. Wiping and blowing your nose can also make it red.
This mucus can have a rainbow of disgusting colors. When white blood cells fight an infection, they release chemicals that can make it yellow (There are (at least) five definitions of yellow that mean roughly the same thing…). When a larger number of these cells is needed to fight the infection, the mucus can even turn green. In general, after a few days, it becomes clear again and the nasal congestion disappears.
Mucus is not only found in the nose and lungs.
Our eyes also have a thin layer of mucus that protects them from particles in the air. When we get sick or have an eye infection, eye mucus can act the same way it does in our noses, catching and killing germs. It can also sometimes become thick and yellow. In this case, it is better to call a doctor (A doctor is a health professional with a doctor’s degree in…) and not touch yourself (Touch, also called tact or taction, is one of the five senses of man or animal,…) the eyes with your fingers at the risk of introducing more germs.
Our stomach and intestines also have protective mucus.
Animals also produce mucus
Humans aren’t the only animals that use mucus. For example, dogs and cats have them too.
Some fish use mucus to protect themselves during sleep.
Robert Costa Pinto/Wikimedia Commons
Parrotfish, wrasses, and other sea creatures produce mucus cocoons to protect themselves from predators at night.
Chameleons use the sticky mucus on the tip of their tongues to attract prey. Earthworms secrete it to move through the soil.
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