BRONCHITIS/PNEUMONIA

A cough that brings up yellowish-gray or green mucus (sputum) is one of the main signs of bronchitis. Mucus itself isn't abnormal your airways produce at least an ounce of normal secretions every day. But these secretions usually don't accumulate, because they're continuously cleared into your throat and swallowed with your saliva. When the main air passageways in your lungs (bronchial tubes) are inflamed, however, they often produce large amounts of discolored mucus that comes up when you cough. Mucus that isn't white or clear usually means there's a secondary infection.

Still, these signs can be deceptive. You don't always produce sputum when you have bronchitis, and children often swallow coughed-up material, so parents may not know there's a secondary infection.

Bronchitis may be accompanied by common signs and symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, including:

• Soreness and a feeling of constriction or burning in your chest

• Sore throat

• Congestion

• Breathlessness

• Wheezing

• Slight fever and chills

• Overall malaise

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