Where Does Mucus Come From When You Have A Cold?

Question

Where Does Mucus Come From When You Have A Cold?

3 Answers

Answer Question

Answer 1

Mucus is fluid secreted by the Goblet cells in the walls of mucus membranes in the body. The mucus contain lysozymes and immunoglobulin. In case of cold or flu, the brain send message to mucus membrane to produce mucus. The mucus is the response of our immune system. The mucus trap the virus or bacteria and does not allow them to enter in to lungs.

Answer 2

Mucous is your bodies way of traping unwanted bugs etc before entering the lungs. When you have a cold your body tries to reject it by producing more mucous in order to flush it out.

Answer 3

Sorry lizzie, I typed you a long answer and the system seems to have lost it. I will check tomorrow and if it still not there I will do it all again!
Ha! I finally found it again. The cold virus makes the glands in your nasal passages secrete more clear mucous. This accumulation makes you cough and sneeze virus-loaded droplets into the air thus infecting other people. This is obviously a very good idea from the virus' point of view.
Then bacteria will invade the inflammed mucous lining and give you a secondary infection - this is the point when your snot goes yellow or greenish due to white blood cells and bacterial debris colouring it. As Padraig says, your body is also trying to flush it all out.
It is very important to cover your face when coughing or sneezing, and to wash your hands often, to avoid spreading it. If someone else had been more careful - maybe you wouldn't have caught theirs.