Advice from Our Family Physician
When someone in your family comes down with a cold, you know it’s time for a health lockdown in the house. This means disinfecting everything, constantly washing hands, and absolutely no one is sharing anything. One sick child can turn into an entire family of sick people, and it’s not something you want to deal with. It’s important to know when a cold is just a cold and when a cold is something more serious, like the flu. It can be hard to tell, and with all of the myths out there, it makes it even hard to know which advice you can and can’t trust.
One of the most common myths out there is that the color green is a sign of infection. While this isn’t one hundred percent incorrect, it also isn’t one hundred percent fact either. The green that you’re seeing in your snot means a lot more than just infection. Here’s what our family physician wants you to know about green mucus, and whether or not it’s time to make an appointment.
Oftentimes, we think that thick, green mucus is a sign of infection. We tell ourselves that this must mean we have a sinus infection and that it’s time to take antibiotics. However, being overzealous in taking antibiotics can actually be worse for our immune system than if we just let our bodies fight for themselves. Green can mean a number of things, but most importantly, it means that your body is really fighting hard to make sure that you beat the sickness that is in your body.
So why is your mucus thick?
Well, it’s thick because it is full of dead white cells and other cells that were involved in the fight. Think of your cells as soldiers that died in battle.
Why is your mucus green?
The green color comes a protein that your body releases in order to help fight infection, so green is actually a good sign. It’s a sign that your body is fighting that much harder to keep you healthy.
What is the lesson here?
Green is good! Thick is good! These are clear signs that your immune system is in overdrive and pulling out all the stops in order to keep you healthy. Embrace the green and thickness in your mucus, but do so by resting.
When you’re sick, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing this. However, if you’re staying sick and not getting better, why not visit your local family doctor? Your physician can help prescribe you medicine that can help you get better faster, but more importantly, they can help you avoid getting worse.
If you or anyone in your family is experiencing severe cold symptoms and are in need of treatment, don’t hesitate to visit our family medical practice. Call us today for an appointment or feel free to walk in.