Should i take antibiotics? i have a handful of symptoms but there is green/yellow discharge when i blow my nose. the thing is its only for the first couple blows in the morning. i don't want to use too many antibiotics when i'm young. what should i do.

Hello. : Hello. I recommend you dont' take antibiotics unless directed to by your doctors. Sometimes the discharge could be a viral infection - not always as bacterial infection.

Agree : Agree with dr. Fowler. If the discharge continues for more than 7 days or other symptoms develop you should see your personal physician.

Viral : Viral rhinitis usually causes nasal congestion and more clear type discharge. Acute bacterial infections (that are typically treated with antibiotics) often are discolored, malodorous, and typically purulent ("pus-like") in nature. Chronic rhinosinusitis can give a greenish-yellow discharge and not usually associated with pain/discomfort in the sinus regions. Stagnant mucous that we produce that isn't mobilized well from the sinuses through the nasal cavities ( possibly from anatomic factors, hyperviscosity, etc.) can also take on discoloration because of bacterial colonization and not infection. This is why we don't arbitrarily prescribe antibiotics without knowing what we are treating . If this has been a chronic problem i would talk to your primary care or ENT doctor. In the meantime it might be helpful to use nasal saline irrigations to help rinse out the mucous collections.