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Fact Buster
Q: Does green snot mean you need antibiotics?
A: No, green snot doesn't necessarily mean you need antibiotics.
Published 06/02/2008
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There are few things less appealing than the sight of a green, snotty nose – particularly if it belongs to a child playing with your own healthy offspring.
But as green snot is a fact of life, it's worth knowing whether its presence means you need to race off to the doctor for a prescription, or whether you're best to wipe the offending nose and ignore it.
Associate Professor Andrea Mant, from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales, says antibiotics make little difference to the severity or duration of the common cold – the most frequent cause of green nasal discharge.
Dr Mant says when doctors decide to prescribe antibiotics they consider the whole person, not just the snot.
"Sometimes a child may have a high fever and swollen glands and is evidently ill, and of course that swings you more to the idea that the child should be treated with antibiotics, but even then, generally speaking, the evidence has led doctors to be less concerned by green snot."
Most common colds are caused by viruses rather than bacteria. Antibiotics are only active against bacteria; they have no effect on viruses. And contrary to common belief, green snot is not necessarily a sign of bacterial infection.
In fact a snotty nose often indicates your body is fighting off a cold. While combating a virus, your white cells create mucus in the lining of your nose; the more active the white cells, the more likely you are to get green snot.
Every year the National Prescribing Service runs a campaign that aims to reduce the use of antibiotics to inappropriately treat common colds.
The Common colds need common sense, not antibiotics campaign encourages people to avoid taking antibiotics for a cold as they can cause side effects – such as stomach upsets, diarrhoea, thrush and allergic reactions – and also because overuse of antibiotics throughout the community can make some bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
But Dr Mant says it's very important to trust your instincts when it comes to colds. See your doctor if you are worried or if your cold – or your child's cold – is getting worse.
Some serious diseases may initially appear like a cold or flu. The National Prescribing service's website has a list of symptoms that require urgent medical attention.
Associate Professor Andrea Mant is Director of the Population Health and Use of Medicines Unit in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales. She was interviewed by Claudine Ryan.
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Comments (8)
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Nugget :
09 Aug 2008 9:43:44am
Snot is the bodies way of getting rid of all the toxins , this is the way its supposed to work, why would you take a drug to stop this process, and keep all this rubbish inside us let mother nature do its work
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Dr A Breck McKay :
09 Feb 2008 10:15:25am
Green snot is a sign of a LOCAL mixed infection and needs LOCAL treatment.
The nasal mucosa, the anatomy and physiology of it, shows/explains why it works and if you use the underlying normal it helps with simple local applications of mixed creams. Much better that systemic ABs which do not penetrate the nasal mucous barrier!
Since 1980 I have used Kenacomb nasal cream (discontinued in 1998)then a mix of Bactroban 2 tubes, 10% hydrocortisone cream 1 tube (Sigmacort has the correct base cream for effectiveness)and Lamsil one tube..Local chemist mixes it up and sells small lots for about $25 which will last 6-12 months if kept in fridge between use.
Why these creams? They dissolve when placed in the vestibule of the nose and are carried up and over all the nasal mucosa in the mucous path to the back or the nose.
How must to use? a small piece on the little finger tip, about the size of a cotton bud head, twice a day.
Results: In 1980 4 GPs were referring 4-6 patients to ENT Specialists per week, but by 1986 the rate had dropped to 4-6 PER ANNUM from all the practice.
Also noted that those using the cream post Ear infection recovered their hearing (clearance of Eustachian tube) in4-5 weeks and did not go out to 13 weeks and T's & A's + grommets. Also asthmatics got much better since they lost their post nasal drip, non-smokers with persistent post nasal drips soon lost that problem all together.
A very cheap solution wiht major secondary benefits for all
Do not use continuously because allergies to the components can occur.
Usual time of use 1-2 weeks stop and review re-use if needed.
Patients and Parents love it.
Was on Brisbane Channel 9 Extra in 1999, and resulted in the biggest telephone response they had ever had to a program segment and they repeated it in 2001.
Try it... yopur mothers with young kids will love you.
I still get patients years later telephoning for the magic nose cream (Dr McKays Nose Cream)prescriptions!-
ABC (Moderator):
19 Feb 2008 9:00:04am
The National Prescribing Service has provided the following clinical advice on this post:
Green snot is not a sign of local mixed infection in common colds, it is a sign of white cell activity in viral infection.
The topical treatment (antibacterials and corticosteroids) suggested by McKay is not currently recommended in clinical practice guidelines for treatment of common colds or middle ear infection. -
Amused :
12 May 2008 11:33:58am
Wow. I think I'd prefer the snot!
I hate sticking things up my nose
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Phil D The Pharmacist :
07 Feb 2008 11:00:26pm
I agree about G.P.'s needing to treat the whole person - if pneumonia is setting in or a child with high temps for a few days (such as ours earlier this week) , definitely need the Antibiotics. Otherwise agree that ABs are not the way to go for lesser colds etc.
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Pickles Mum :
07 Feb 2008 9:03:25pm
If the green snot continues along with coughing and a fever - in other words - if after some time things are not getting any better - then we take a trip to the GP to get another opinion - sometimes it's antibiotics we get, sometimes it's just a confirmation we are already doing the correct thing - in other words - sometimes, all we need is just a pat on the back and a few tips to keep doing what you are already doing!!!!!!!!!!!
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frustratedwithaustralia :
23 May 2008 3:45:21am
this is something that annoys me about your country, back home I'd get antibiotics for this problem and feel better in two days, but here they make me wait another week to see if it gets worse then give me them. I'm sick right now and need them, esp since I have a past history of sinus infections, now I'll probably get pneumonia like last time I wasn't given antibiotics.
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