Is it allergies, COVID-19 or something else? What your mucus might mean - Nebraska Medicine
"There's a lot of people suffering from sinus disease. Your sinus health is important to address, and impacts your well-being and quality of life. Don't wait to come in, because there are things we can do to help you." These words of encouragement come from Christie Barnes, MD, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor who treats people with sinus diseases. While Dr. Barnes says your sinus discharge is just one factor an ENT doctor uses to diagnose a condition, your mucus color and consistency might offer you some clues. Spoiler alert: The best way to find out if you have COVID-19 is to get tested. With that public service announcement out of the way, here are what different types of mucus might indicate. Clear and watery: allergies or nonallergic rhinitis "Clear drainage tends to be associated with early onset of a cold, seasonal allergies or nonallergic rhinitis," says Dr. Barnes. "If it's allergies, that tends to be accompani...