The myth of green mucus and the use of antibiotics

Parents love to decipher possible conditions according to the color of our children's secretions. One of the most popular "by eye" diagnoses is undoubtedly the color of the snot: If they are green, you need antibiotics.

But it's time to banish the myth of green mucus and the use of antibiotics. We will explain why the greenish color of the mucus of our children is due and although sometimes we think that it is not normal for them to be healthy producing such a viscous mass, we will clarify all your doubts and what to do.

The mucus function

The boogers constitute one of the main consultations of the parents to the pediatrician, with specifications of form, quantity and color.

The boogers are nothing more than a defense that produces the organism. It is a thick, sticky substance secreted by a mucous membrane; in the nose, through the nasal mucosa. Its function is to keep microorganisms out of our body. Any invading agent that attempts to enter our body will be trapped in this mucus and then expelled or swallowed by being destroyed by stomach acids.

The children are very eating the boogers, something that parents insist that they do not do but in fact proven that it is good for health, as they strengthen the immune system.

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Why are the boogers green?

Our immune system is made up of different types of cells, including neutrophils. Neutrophils destroy invading cells by phagocytosis, that is, they "eat" invading agents, in this case viruses and bacteria.

To eliminate them, neutrophils release an enzyme called myeloperoxidase (MPO), which contains iron, which in the mucus acquires a green color. Because dead neutrophils live for a short time and end up in mucus, this is what makes us see green mucus.

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And the relationship with antibiotics?

Many people believe that the color of mucus is a sign that the child has a serious infection that must be deal with antibiotics, but it is only the signal that the immune system is doing its job.

The cold usually begins with fluid and transparent mucus and then evolves into a thicker and more greenish mucus. As we say above, it is not a sign that an antibiotic should be given, but that the organism is defending itself.

When the child has mucus due to a common cold, what we know as a cold, it is due to a mild infection of the upper respiratory system, caused by a virus, the "rhinovirus" mainly. In the case of influenza, which also has a fever, the virus is responsible for influenza.

Therefore, being caused by viruses, in none of the cases are antibiotics prescribed. Antibiotics are contraindicated for both cold and flu, as they are diseases caused by viruses and not by bacteria.

What to do then?

If your child has mucus, has a blocked nose and has trouble breathing, it is best to perform nasal washes with physiological serum. You have to do them frequently throughout the day if the mucus is abundant to keep the nostrils as clear as possible.

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If in doubt, it is best to consult with the pediatrician before administering medications on our own.

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