Coughing up mucus with shortness of breath, chest pain, or excessive drowsiness can be a sign of a more serious lung problem.
Green, yellow, brown, or bloody mucus may indicate infection and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
A wet cough that lasts more than 3 to 5 days, or comes with fever or hoarseness, needs medical assessment.

Coughing up mucus is a natural response that helps the body remove secretions from the airways. It usually happens when the bronchi or bronchioles become inflamed due to infections or irritation in the respiratory system.

Coughing up mucus can occur with conditions such as the common cold, bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, allergic rhinitis, and COVID-19. The mucus may be clear, yellow, or green, and it is often accompanied by symptoms like congestion, fever, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort.

Treatment for coughing up mucus may include saline nebulizers, increased fluid intake, and teas with expectorant properties that help loosen secretions. Medical evaluation may be needed if the cough lasts several days or occurs with symptoms like fever, colored phlegm, or breathing difficulty.

man coughing into his fist with other hand on his chest

Common causes

The most common causes of coughing up mucus include:

1. The common cold

Respiratory infections such as the common cold can cause coughing with mucus and other symptoms, including a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever.

How to treat: A cough with phlegm caused by a cold can be eased by rinsing the nose with saline solution several times a day.

If the cough lasts longer than 10 days or is accompanied by symptoms such as headache or fever, it is important to see a healthcare provider for evaluation.

2. COVID-19

Coughing up mucus caused by COVID-19 is often accompanied by symptoms such as fever, sore throat, diarrhea, and changes in taste. In more severe cases, shortness of breath may also occur.

How to treat: If you suspect you have COVID-19, consult a healthcare professional. They may recommend you take a COVID rapid test.

Treatment may include medications such as acetaminophen to relieve symptoms and specific antiviral drugs when indicated. The cough with mucus usually improves as the infection resolves.

In severe cases with symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or excessive drowsiness, hospitalization may be required for closer monitoring and specialized care.

3. Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis can cause coughing with mucus, along with other symptoms such as a runny nose and watery eyes. These symptoms often occur after exposure to triggers like dust, pollen, or smoke.

How to treat: Avoid contact with substances that trigger your allergic rhinitis, such as pollen or dust. Keeping your home well-ventilated and cleaning surfaces regularly with a damp cloth can also help reduce symptoms.

If symptoms are moderate or severe, it is important to see a family doctor or allergy specialist. If allergic rhinitis is confirmed, the doctor may prescribe medications for allergic rhinitis, including antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids.

4. Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi, which are the airways responsible for carrying oxygen to and from the lungs. This inflammation often causes symptoms such as a productive cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

How to treat: According to the CDC, acute bronchitis usually gets better on its own without antibiotics. However, to relieve symptoms and support recovery, a provider may prescribe medications such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, mucolytics, or expectorants.

5. Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is more common in babies under 2 years of age and occurs when the bronchioles, which are the smallest airways in the lungs, become inflamed. This inflammation makes it harder for air to flow, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever, a persistent cough with mucus, and wheezing.

How to treat it: A doctor should evaluate the baby to determine the best way to manage symptoms. Rest and adequate hydration are usually recommended, and nebulizer treatments may help relieve breathing difficulties.

6. Pneumonia

Pneumonia can cause coughing up mucus, which is often yellowish, along with other pneumonia symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight loss.

How to treat: If you suspect pneumonia, it is important to see a doctor for proper assessment and treatment. Pneumonia treatment usually involves antibiotics, but in some cases, hospitalization may be needed for IV medications and closer monitoring.

7. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that can affect the lungs and impair their function. Common tuberculosis symptoms include coughing up mucus or blood, chest pain during breathing, and shortness of breath.

How to treat: A doctor should evaluate the lungs to confirm the diagnosis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis is treated with a standardized course of antibacterial medicines, and treatment should be completed as prescribed to cure the infection properly.

Tuberculosis treatment usually involves taking prescription antibiotics for an extended period. It is essential to complete the full course of medication because stopping early can allow the bacteria to grow again, causing recurrent infection and worsening symptoms.

8. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses that develops due to a viral or bacterial infection. It causes a buildup of mucus within the sinuses, which can lead to headaches, facial pain, nasal congestion, fever, and coughing up mucus.

How to treat: To relieve symptoms, it is important to help clear the accumulated mucus. Saline nasal rinses can be useful, and if the sinusitis is caused by bacteria, a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics.

9. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD develops as a result of chronic inflammation in the bronchi and bronchioles. It can cause breathing difficulties, rapid or labored breathing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, and mucus that may appear white, yellow, or green.

How to treat: Treatment for COPD should always be guided by a healthcare provider. The main goals are to relieve symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening or leading to complications. A provider may prescribe bronchodilators, corticosteroids, or mucolytics, and may also recommend respiratory therapy.

When to see a doctor

You should see a healthcare provider if your cough produces green, yellow, brown, or bloody phlegm, as these colors may indicate a lung infection that requires treatment with antibiotics.

Medical evaluation is also important if you have a fever, hoarseness, shortness of breath, or a cough that lasts longer than three days.

The provider may request a chest X-ray and a sputum test to analyze the phlegm, and once the cause is identified, recommend appropriate treatment.

How to relieve

Drinking plenty of fluids, ideally about 2 liters (half a gallon) of water a day, can further thin the phlegm, making it easier to expel. It is also important to cough whenever you feel mucus in your throat to help clear your airways.

In addition, teas with expectorant properties, such as mallow tea or guaco tea, and natural remedies like onion cough syrup may provide relief. If the cough persists, a healthcare provider may recommend specific cough syrups, which should always be taken as prescribed.

Home remedies

One option to complement treatment recommended by a healthcare provider is drinking teas with expectorant properties, such as mallow tea with guaco and onion syrup, which help loosen and eliminate mucus.

Coughing Up Mucus: 9 Common Causes & Treatments