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Usually mucus is clear or white and thin, but when we have an infection it can change colour to yellow or green. This is the result of trapped bacteria or due to the body’s response to a bacterial or virus infection.

As the body reacts to the infection, the mucus becomes thicker, more viscous (sticky) and darker in colour. Light yellow or green mucus usually indicates a mild infection, and darker green mucus usually suggests a more serious infection.12 As an infection improves, the colour lightens. The colour of sputum can be useful in deciding whether or not you should be treated with antibiotics, and whether or not the antibiotics are working.

Below is the TG system which shows sputum colours top to bottom. These are also known as TG1, TG2, TG3 and TG4.12

TG System

In COPD, mucus is often copious, purulent (unpleasant), and viscous (sticky). Excess mucus can make breathing more difficult, and make you cough more. Mucus can be difficult to cough up if it is very thick or sticky.

Please take a few moments to answer the following question, to help us learn more about your experience of Mucus Management

What, in your opinion, is the biggest obstacle to discussing excess mucus problems with a doctor or other healthcare professional?

Too embarrassed
Too trivial - think it would be a waste of doctor's time
Don't think the doctor could help
Didn't know excess mucus could be treated
Something I just have to put up with
No obstacle to discussing excess mucus

About the poll

Thank you for participating in this poll. Session control functionality Is included to prevent you from being able to answer questions more than once. The results are completely anonymous and will not be shared with any third parties. Teva UK Limited will use the results of this poll for market research, marketing purposes and to improve the site. (Job code:MUC/10/015h.Date of preparation: May 2012)

Reference 1

Richardson M. The physiology of mucus and sputum production in the respiratory system. Nursing Times 2003;99:63

Reference 2

Thornton DJ, et al. Structure and function of the polymeric mucins in airways mucus. Annual review of Physiology 2008;70:459-486

Reference 3

SIGN/BTS British Guideline
on the management of asthma http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/
fulltext/101/index.html

Reference 4

Netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/asthma.htm

Reference5

Voynow JA, Rubin BK.
Mucins, mucus and sputum.
Chest 2009;135:505-12

Reference 6

Clinical Knowledge Summaries.
Patient information leaflet –
Lung cancer.
http://www.cks.nhs.uk/patient_
information_leaflet/lung_cancer

Reference 7

Cancer Research UK.
Lung cancer radiotherapy side effects. http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/
lung-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy/
lung-cancer-radiotherapy-side-effects

Reference 8

NHS Choices.
Chest infection, adult – symptoms.
Available at
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Chest-infection-adult/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Reference 9

NICE. National Clinical Guideline Centre.
(2010) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults in primary and secondary care. London: National Clinical Guideline Centre.
Available from: http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG101/
Guidance/pdf/English

Reference 10

Poole P, Black PN.
Mucolytic agents for chronic bronchitis
or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (Review).
The Cochrane Library 2010; 2: 1-66

Reference 11

Clinical Knowledge Summaries.
Patient information leaflet - Cystic fibrosis.
Available at
www.cks.nhs.uk/patient_information_
leaflet/cystic_fibrosis/symptoms

Reference 12

Logan JL.
The TG system for bedside recording
of sputum colour.
Ulster Med J 2006;75:228-30

Reference 13

Clinical Knowledge Summaries.
Palliative cancer care – cough.
www.cks.nhs.uk

Reference 14

Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Clinical guidelines for the physiotherapy management of cystic fibrosis. 2002.
Available from:
www.cftrust.org.uk

Poll Results

Thank you for participating in this poll. Session control functionality Is included to prevent you from being able to answer questions more than once. The results are completely anonymous and will not be shared with any third parties. Teva UK Limited will use the results of this poll for market research, marketing purposes and to improve the site.