DOES GETTING RID OF MUCUS WHEN I’M SICK HELP ME GET BETTER QUICKER?
DANIEL GRANT, SUNDERLAND
People think mucous and phlegm are things you should cough up and get out, because they’re bad for you. But in truth, mucous is the interface between you and the outside world. It lines the moist surfaces of your nose, sinuses and lungs, and filters out material you breathe in – a bit like flypaper. It’s mostly water, but also contains proteins, sugars and molecules that help the body control harmful germs. Mucous creates a layer of protection between us and the outside world, so it’s not something to get rid of.