Mucus serves as a protective barrier against dirt and germs in respiratory pathways. During allergy season, my nasal passages produce more mucus to trap pollen.
Pro Tip 2/3
Color Indicators
The color of mucus can indicate health status; clear is normal, yellow or green may suggest infection. The doctor asked about the color of my mucus to check for signs of infection.
Pro Tip 3/3
Context Matters
While 'mucus' is a medical term, it's commonly used in everyday language when discussing illness. I've been coughing up a lot of mucus; I think I'm getting a cold.