"White Phlegm When Coughing: Understanding Viral Infections and Symptoms"

2023-05-17 12:56:44

White phlegm when coughing: Viral infections as the cause

Our airways constantly produce mucus. It is used, for example, to remove pathogens, dead cells, dust and smoke particles, and white blood cells.

The mucus first gets into the esophagus and is then either swallowed down or, in the case of the so-called “productive cough”, transported into the mouth thanks to the coughing stimulus and coughed up from there. Swallowing the mucus is safe because any bacteria or viruses present in the mucus are rendered harmless by the stomach acid.

Expectoration indicates illness

Mucus is mainly coughed up when there is too much of it. So sputum is always a sign of disease. The color of the sputum can give an indication of what the condition is. While normal bronchial secretions are colorless, white mucus indicates a higher protein content. The protein can come from antibodies of an immune reaction, which is an indication of an infection.

White mucus in infections

White mucus often occurs as part of a viral infection, for example in

The mucus is usually whitish-clear at first. Yellow phlegm or green phlegm may also appear later, especially when a bacterial infection joins the viral one.

Other infections that can be associated with white mucus:

Acute Bronchitis: If the sputum from the infection is tough and whitish-glassy, this can be an indication that the inflammation of the mucous membranes has spread to the lower respiratory tract. The result is bronchitis. This is often accompanied by a high temperature or fever. It often begins with a dry, irritating cough and then progresses to a productive cough with sputum.
Acute sinusitis: However, white mucus can also originate in the nose or paranasal sinuses. When you have a cold, the mucous membranes in your nose swell and produce more mucus. This can build up, become cloudy and tough. It can then continuously run down the throat and is coughed up from there. Headaches and runny noses are usually additional symptoms.
Whooping cough (pertussis): Also with whooping cough, one caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis caused infectious disease of the respiratory tract, it can lead to coughing up white mucus.