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Doctor insights on:
What Does It Mean When You Cough Up Brown Mucus
1
What does it mean when you cough up brown mucus?

Infection: Infection is most likely but both bacterial and viral infections can cause brown mucus. If this has been persistent, see your doctor. ...Read more
Mucus (Definition)
Like material that functions to moisten and protect inner body surfaces. The viscous slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and that is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by the cells and glands of the mucous membranes. The free slime of the mucous membranes, composed of secretion of the glands, various salts, ...Read more
2
Does a productive cough for past 2 weeks with clear and green mucus mean anything specific?

Depends.: Depends on what other symptoms you might be having. But a lot of time when sick with a cold or flu or virus or infection of some sort a cough may usually linger for a while. ...Read more
3
Been sick for a while occasional fever/ vomiting&fatigue as well as productive cough producing yellow brown& white mucus, now I have mostly dry cough producing quite a bit of mucus mostly during the day while working and nothing really at night?

Close your computer: Now and proceed to your local ER or urgent care clinic: you cannot be diagnosed online. Period. Call for an appointment now. ...Read more
4
I've had a productive cough for a week. Worse in the morning. Gagging and coughing up mucus all day. Kidney pain. How long to wait until I see a dr?

Cough: I would see a doctor today. May be bronchitis or a pneumonia and with the kidney pain, I would check it out. ...Read more
5
Experiencing an asthma flare for almost a month and I have had a productive cough. Today I noticed blood in the mucus I coughed up. Diagnosis, tests?

See doctor: This shows that your asthma is not under control. I do not see any medication you are taking for this condition either. You need to see your doctor ASAP before you get into more trouble with your asthma. ...Read more
6
What is a chronic productive cough with spotted mucus a symptom of?

Spotted?: If spotted with blood it is most commonly bronchitis, especially if patient is on blood thinner. However it could be more serious and you should consult your doctor. ...Read more
8
Quit smoking 4 weeks ago. Since then I have a productive cough with clear mucus and a weird chest feeling. Slowly getting better. Is it because I quit?

Probably not.: I think it is just coincidence. If anything, your breathing should improve when you stop smoking. ...Read more
9
Burning productive cough, yellow mucus, diZziness, fatigue, slight fever. What are the most common possibilities?

Respiratory infectio: Fever with productive cough and with burning sensation is an indication of infection in the respiratory tract may be upper or lower tract. It could be spectrum of sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis with or without pneumonia. ...Read more
10
My father has a productive cough with light yellow mucus for >month. Md said it was post nasal drip. Got him cromolyn and after 2 weeks no improvement?

Return for follow up: If still sick, he should return to his doctor for a follow up evaluation. Good luck. ...Read more
11
Heavy chest congestion / non productive cough / after 8-9 day cold / expectorants (2 weeks) not producing mucus / no nasal congestion / headaches : (?

See Doctor: Symptoms persist despite over the counter medications next step is to see your doctor for examination, perhaps chest x-ray ...Read more
12
Direahha, chills, severe congestion, no productive cough, chest wheezing, mucus yellow, green & blood tinted when does come up, ears plugged help!

Don't delay: See pcp- coughing up blood needs investigation--get help to quit smoking! ...Read more
13
Very sore throat. Slightly inflamed. Thick green mucus and congestion. Productive cough. High fevers. Began with fever and sore throat.

? Infection: Sounds like upper respiratory infection but we need to rule out pneumonia and you may need an antibiotic. Please see a doctor. ...Read more
14
Stuffy runny nose no fever sneezing with somewhat productive cough that burns chest when coughing mucus is green yellow and white?

Sounds like:
A bacterial infection.
Check with your lung doc and ask about the need of antimicrobials.
Good luck and all the best.
...Read more
15
Why do I still have yellow mucus, sore throat and productive cough 2 weeks after given amoxicillin for strep throat?

Stept throat: The most likely thing is that you did not have strept throat unless a culture was done. It is was a strept throat You probably have a viral problem that takes bout 2-3 weeks to get better if you take antibiotics or 13-21 days if you don't. Have others at your work/school had similar problems? Good discussion at Wikipedia for more info. Amox is not drug of choice in US. ...Read more
16
I have a stiff neck, sore throat, productive cough (clear mucus), both ears hurt, and occasionally I sneeze out yellow mucus. Any ideas?

Varies: Certainly among the more common causes are an infectious process such as in the sinuses for example; "allergies" can be another cause. A good medical checkup is sometimes a good place to start. ...Read more
17
What causes the chronic productive cough with thick yellow mucous?

Possibly...: Chronic bronchitis, a form of copd, is a possible cause for these symptoms. If a productive cough lasts 3 weeks or longer, it needs to be evaluated by a doctor. If there is shortness of breath, you should be evaluated today, in an er if your doctor can't see you right away! There is no cure for chronic bronchitis but symptoms can be controlled with therapy! ...Read more
18
Feeling ill (on and off) since Oct. Today woke with severe headache, productive cough (thick mucous), pain. Should I go to urgent care or ride it out?

See your doc: Sounds like a supra infection in top of lingering symptoms from a previous one. Best will be to check your temperature, acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and/or pain, hot tea for hydration and a sick visit with your doc in am. If no doc or unable to see you tomorrow, Urgent Care is your best choice. ...Read more
19
I've had "cold" symptoms for 3 wks. Including productive cough with tan/green thick mucous, sinus/ear cong., severe fatigue. Levaquin (levofloxacin) 250 x5days didn't help much. I'm very fatigued everyday and a bit SOB.

Mgt: Fatigue is common after a viral or bacterial illness. I would suggest rest, drinking fluids and checking your temperature. If there is fever, new or prolonged symptoms, please see your PCP. ...Read more
20
Feeling like scratch down side of throat with ear irritation, couple days later led to productive cough with yellow/green mucous. Raw feeling. Strep?

Dr. Can check throat: Throat symptoms can be from a strep throat infection (antibiotics are needed), a cold or other virus (antibiotics usually not used), allergies or irritants, sinusitis, stomach reflux when asleep, etc... Usually, a person sees the doctor if the throat is bothersome, recurrent, or doesn't go away quickly (mainly to check for strep). ...Read more
21
I have woken up with my eyes sealed shut from green mucous along with an extremely sore throat, productive cough, red eyes, stuffy nose and exhaustion

Viral URI: The mucus lining of the eye and of the nose and throat can be simultaneously infected by a virus at the same time. The usual treatments you might take for a cold are in order here. Keep the eyes clean with warm moist cloths but unless the vision is significantly disturbed or the eyes start to become painful, you can probably let this run its course. ...Read more
22
Is it okay to cough up brown mucus after waking up?
No: May be blood in your mucous. Make appointment to see your Physician, and take in a sample of your brown fluids. ...Read more
23
What does it mean when you cough and it taste like blood but there's not any but green mucus?

You Are Ill: You are ill. You have a cough and you are producing purulent sputum. You need to be seen by your physician urgently. That is what this means. ...Read more
24
What's it mean when u cough up white mucus?

Cough: It means there's some irritation. Need to figure out where it is and what's causing it. If you're a febrile you likely don't need to worry. If it persists, see your doctor. ...Read more
25
How come I cough out brown mucus in the morning?
Smoke or broken bv:
Several items can contribute to the brownness of your mucus in the am.
If you are coughing, small broken blood vessels can leak a few red blood cells contributing to the discoloration but more often it can be related to smoking and or tobacco byproducts. If you are concerned a sample should be brought into your md for a culture and sensitivity test.
...Read more
26
I cough up clear mucus with light brown stuff in it. What is it? And why?
Need answers: Well, how much do you cough-up? When (more in the morning?)? What kind of cigarettes do you smoke? For how long have you smoked? Coughed? Is that light brown stuff ever red? Is the brown stuff in little spots or all smeared-up? Are you getting the impression I'm worried about your smoking? Besides that, it may just be irritation from air pollution, allergies, a mild cold or, oh yes, smoking. ...Read more
27
When I cough, I cough up clear mucus with little light brown specks all through it what is it?
Old blood-mucous: Get examined and have mucous cultured for a bacterial infection. Get a chest x ray and stop smoking. ...Read more
28
When I wake up in the mornings I cough up a clear but kind of brown mucus with flaky brown stuff in it what could it be?
Many things:
It sounds like a common smokers cough but there are many other possibilities.
You should get a checkup.
...Read more
29
I cough up a brown mucus with blood in every morning and I've had this for about 1 and half weeks but I do also smoke weed?
Anytime you: Cough blood, investigate it- seepcp.
Get a more detailed answer ›
30
Every year around this time I get these symptoms of a cold but I don't feel sick. I get this dry cough with this green mucus. What does this mean?

Cough: Cough is due to a post nasal drip. If the dischage has been longerthan ten days, seea doctor for possible a tibiotics. ...Read more
Cough (Definition)
The cough reflex is a protective mechanism that uses muscles in your throat and chest to expel mucous and saliva that may contain pathogens that would otherwise possibly be inhaled via aerosol or to expel pathogens infecting the throat and respiratory system. Cough benefits the host by reducing load and benefits the pathogen which may then spread via aerosol. ...Read more
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