What causes green phlegm?
Disease description:
Why has the phlegm I've been coughing up been green these past few days?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yuan Qing
Coughing up green phlegm may be caused by viral infections or chronic diseases. Viral infections are the most common cause of green phlegm, including influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, and rhinitis. These viral infections can lead to the absorption of nutrients by viruses in the respiratory tract, resulting in phlegm containing large amounts of bacteria and viruses. In addition, chronic diseases may also cause green phlegm, such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. These conditions all lead to high levels of bacteria and viruses in the phlegm, causing it to turn green.
