What the colour of your phlegm is really telling you and when to visit a GP

23 January 2024 , 13:31

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The colour of your phlegm could signal an underlying medical condition (Image: Getty Images)

As respiratory illnesses make the rounds, it can be difficult to determine whether your sore throat is 'just a cough', or if the dreaded symptom is a warning sign of something more serious.

While the average cough lingers for around 18-days, a visit to the GP is advised if it persists for three weeks or more. Dr Malathy Munisamy, a clinical research physician at MAC Clinical Research, said: "Standard coughs, which are often 'harmless', settle on their own within a couple of weeks.

"A cough is simply the body's natural response to any irritations within the airways." In most cases, coughing up phlegm is harmless as it helps to clear irritants and infections from your lungs.

But if you’re coughing up the mucus when you’re not feeling sick, or if the shade changes, it could signal an underlying medical condition. According to MAC, here’s what the colour of your phlegm might be telling you.

White

If you’re suffering from asthma, allergies, or a viral infection, you could find yourself coughing up white phlegm. The research centre writes: "If the white phlegm appears due to underlying conditions, the primary cause could indicate that the condition has worsened."

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Yellow

Yellow phlegm is commonly found during the early stages of an infection, such as common colds and mild chest infections. In most cases, the symptom passes on its own.

Green

The MAC describes green phlegm as the "first major sign" that you have a more serious viral or bacterial infection, such as whooping cough.

This will often be accompanied by other symptoms, including fever and chest pains when coughing. Antibiotics are often required to clear up bacterial chest infections.

Brown

This can strike when a more serious chest infection is present, or if you have a chronic lung disease, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IDF) or cystic fibrosis. The unusual colour is caused by chronic inflammation, blood, and bacteria from outside the lungs, explains MAC.

Pink or red

Phlegm that is pink or red could be caused by an untreated infection or even cancer, such as lung or neck. While there may be nothing to worry about, you should visit your GP straight away if your mucus is this colour.

According to Healthline, bleeding from the lungs is a common warning sign of lung cancer. It can happen at any stage and vary from a few bright red spots or blood-tinged sputum to severe bleeding that can be deadly.

Dr Munisamy said: "Any cough with associated worrying or severe symptoms such as coughing up blood, hoarseness of the voice, shortness of breath, fever, weight loss, trouble swallowing, or vomiting, should immediately be assessed by your doctor or GP."

Healthline has shared some simple steps to help you shift stubborn phlegm, such as: