Yellow phlegm from the nose can be caused by a virus, allergy, asthma, or bacterial infection. It doesn’t always indicate a serious infection, but if it lasts for more than seven days, it’s best to see a doctor. Thick or sticky yellow mucus can be a sign of a bacterial infection.
An individual may notice phlegm, also referred to as mucus, coming from the nose for a variety of different reasons. Flowing yellow phlegm from the nose almost always means that some kind of irritation or inflammation is present. In many cases, a person notices phlegm coming from the nose due to a virus, including the common cold, an allergy, or even asthma. Sometimes, however, a bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system is to blame.
Often, when a person notices a yellow phlegm discharge from the nose, they assume it indicates the presence of a serious infection. In truth, however, this often occurs when a person has only a minor viral infection, including one as simple as the common cold. When a person has a viral infection, the phlegm coming from their nose typically starts out clear and gradually turns yellow. This is usually one of the signs that the body is fighting off an infection. However, it doesn’t always mean that the body is fighting off a bacterial or serious infection.
While yellow phlegm coming from the nose doesn’t always mean a person has a serious infection, it does sometimes indicate one. When a person has yellow phlegm coming from the nose, it can mean that a person has a bacterial infection instead of one caused by a virus. This is especially true when the yellow mucus is thick or sticky, although thinner yellow mucus can also develop with a bacterial infection. Some bacterial infections are also accompanied by yellow phlegm that eventually turns green.
The presence of white blood cells called leukocytes is often responsible for yellow phlegm flowing from the nose when a person has an infection. Phlegm starts out clear and may start to turn yellow after about two to three days. This color change is the result of a buildup of white blood cells in the nasal passages.
While the presence of yellow nose phlegm isn’t always a sign of a serious infection, that doesn’t mean a person should ignore it. In the event that the yellow mucus lasts for more than about seven days, an individual might do well to ask their doctor for an evaluation. Also, an individual can see a doctor if he or she has symptoms that seem more severe than might be expected with a minor infection.
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