Influenza or flu is highly contagious and is easily spread by sneezing and coughing. The common symptoms of the flu are fever, chills, thick mucus like phlegm, weakness, soreness, backache, headaches and even fatigue. The flu virus tends to infect the respiratory tract and may even result in ear infections in extreme cases. The flu phlegm is a sticky matter that is produced by the mucus membranes and is usually coughed up by the individual from the back of the lungs and throat. Flu phlegm is different from the mucus that is produced by the nose or from saliva that is produced in the mouth. If the individual is healthy and not suffering from the flu, the phlegm is usually white or clear. However, if the person has got an infection then the flu phlegm tends to be yellowish in color on account of the immune system working hard against the infection. Many a times in cases of a serious flu infection, the flu phlegm will be green in color thereby confirming the presence of the infection. In certain critical cases there may blood or rusty spots in the phlegm which is an indication that there is internal bleeding and therefore should be referred to a doctor immediately. Those who smoke and have the flu, the color and consistency of the flu phlegm will be different and most often it is brownish in color. Sometimes, besides the flu, allergies to various foods could also result in the production of phlegm. Those who are suffering from prolonged phlegm and coughing tend to feel weak and the chest muscles also become sore. One of the common complaints of those suffering from the flu phlegm is breathlessness. This is caused because of the increase in the amount of phlegm in the respiratory tract. Hence it becomes essential to clear the flu phlegm out of one’s system as early as possible. In order to keep the phlegm from becoming stickier and thereby more difficult to clear, one should drink plenty of water as this will also prevent dehydration.
In fact, an effective home remedy for phlegm is drinking some lemon juice mixed with warm water. One can also have chicken soup which is very effective in clearing flu phlegm and all the other symptoms of the flu. One should also ensure high levels of humidity in their living environment as humidity helps in loosening the flu phlegm and also easing a sore throat.