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What Causes Constant Spitting And Green Colored Mucus And Saliva?
Posted on
Sun, 7 Dec 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 7 Dec 2014
Answered on
Wed, 31 Dec 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : what causes spitting up thick gunk green in color for over 6 months
Brief Answer:
Sputum culture and CT chest
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Spitting up thick gunk green in colour is often caused by a bacterial infection, though it also may appear several days in to a viral infection.
If the sputum is this color from the beginning of symptoms, it is more likely to be the result of bacteria.
It can be the result of a respiratory infection or post nasal drip from a sinus infection, although pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinusitis are all other common causes.
Sputum itself is typically made up of mucus secretions from the respiratory system, in addition to drainage from the sinuses.
Many respiratory infections can result in the inflammation of the mucus membranes, which produce excess mucus.
This excess is often expelled from the lungs through coughing, and can become mixed with post nasal drip to become sputum, which may be swallowed or spit out.
A green color often indicates a bacterial infection within the respiratory system or the sinuses, though in some cases, the cause may be viral or environmental.
I would advise you to do a sputum culture test and if bacterial gerowth is found then appropriate sensitive antibiotics needs to be taken with doctors advvise.
I would also advise you to do a CT scan of chest.
Regards
DR DE
Sputum culture and CT chest
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Spitting up thick gunk green in colour is often caused by a bacterial infection, though it also may appear several days in to a viral infection.
If the sputum is this color from the beginning of symptoms, it is more likely to be the result of bacteria.
It can be the result of a respiratory infection or post nasal drip from a sinus infection, although pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinusitis are all other common causes.
Sputum itself is typically made up of mucus secretions from the respiratory system, in addition to drainage from the sinuses.
Many respiratory infections can result in the inflammation of the mucus membranes, which produce excess mucus.
This excess is often expelled from the lungs through coughing, and can become mixed with post nasal drip to become sputum, which may be swallowed or spit out.
A green color often indicates a bacterial infection within the respiratory system or the sinuses, though in some cases, the cause may be viral or environmental.
I would advise you to do a sputum culture test and if bacterial gerowth is found then appropriate sensitive antibiotics needs to be taken with doctors advvise.
I would also advise you to do a CT scan of chest.
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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