Mucus in the lungs is produced by the respiratory system, and can be a symptom of health conditions like pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchiectasis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Depending on the cause of the mucus in the lungs, it may be associated with other symptoms, like coughing, chest pain or difficult breathing.

If you are coughing up copious amount of mucus, or if you notice you have a persistent or worsening productive cough, you should see a lung specialist, family doctor or pediatrician (for children) for assessment). Treatment for mucus in the lungs may involve medication, nebulization, dietary changes and, in some cases, a lung transplant.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of mucus in the lungs are:

High-grade fever
Dry cough or productive cough;
Chest pain;
Difficulty breathing;
Nasal congestion, or stuffy nose;
Headache;
Discomfort.

These symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the cause of the mucus. The color of mucus may also vary in color, and can be green, white and yellow. Learn more about what phlegm colors mean.

Babies with mucus in the lungs

Depending on the cause, a baby with phlegm in the lungs may also present with a fever, coughing, easy irritability, wheezing and short, labored breathing.

In these cases, it is recommended to have the baby assessed by a pediatrician.

Confirming a diagnosis

To determine whether you have mucus in the lungs, you should see a lung specialist, family doctor or pediatrician to assess your symptoms and health history.

To confirm a diagnosis, the doctor may request tests, like a chest X-ray, blood test, sputum test, bronchoscopy, or a arterial blood gas analysis. A spirometry test may also be beneficial to determine the degree of lung obstruction the mucus is causing and the patient's breathing capacity.

What causes mucus in the lungs?

The most common causes of mucus in the lungs are:

Pneumonia
Cystic fibrosis
Tuberculosis
Bronchiectasis
Asthma

In addition, mucus can also be produced due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a group of respiratory diseases characterized by damaged lung tissue.

Is mucus in the lungs a sign of pneumonia?

Mucus in the lungs could be caused by pneumonia, which is a respiratory condition that develops due to bacteria, viruses or fungi that has spread to the lungs. In addition to mucus production, pneumonia is also associated with lung inflammation and productive coughs with green phlegm.

Read more about pneumonia symptoms and check-out our online symptoms quiz to determine your risk for having this condition.

How to get rid of mucus in the lungs

You can treat mucus in the lungs with the following measures:

1. Medication

The doctor may prescribe the following medications, depending on the cause of the phlegm in the lungs:

Oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, azithromycin, and penicillin, to treat pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and COPD;
Cough syrup, such as ambroxol, bromhexine and acetylcysteine, for the treatment of pneumonia, cystic fibrosis and COPD;
Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone and budesonide, which reduce lung inflammation and irritation associated with COPD and asthma;
Inhaled bronchodilators, such as salbutamol and ipratropium bromide, which may be indicated for COPD;

In addition, the doctor may also prescribe the use of analgesics (like ibuprofen) and antipyretics (like acetaminophen) to help manage fever and pain.

2. Nebulization

Nebulizing is a treatment that helps to unplug the airways through the inhalation of steamed saline solution and/or medication. It can help to to moisten the airways and dilute mucus in the lungs to facilitate breathing.

Nebulization may be indicated for people with asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia and COPD.

3. Respiratory physiotherapy

Respiratory physiotherapy may be indicated to treat conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory failure and tuberculosis.

This type of physiotherapy is done with a set of techniques that help to strengthen the respiratory muscles, improve breathing and get rid of mucus.

4. Quit smoking

Smoking cessation is essential for treating mucus in the lungs. Tobacco promotes the increased production of thick mucus and also interferes with its elimination.

5. Adequate nutrition

Adequate nutrition as guided by a registered dietitian can help to improve breathing, as consuming food requires oxygen for nutrient metabolism and releases carbon dioxide into the body.

You should opt for foods that are high in fiber (like fruits, fresh vegetables and whole grains), lean proteins (like fish, eggs and chicken) and healthy fats (like avocado, olive oil and nuts).

You should avoid simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, sweet drinks, jams and cake, for example. You should avoid foods that cause gas, such as carbonated drinks, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, lentils, leeks, and peas.

6. Lung transplant

Lung transplantation may be recommended by a doctor for patients with COPD or cystic fibrosis when other treatment approaches are not effective in treating or managing these conditions.

Lung transplantation may also be recommended when cystic fibrosis causes severe, life-threatening breathing problems.

7. Home remedies

Some home remedies, such as white willow tea, guaco with pennyroyal syrup, and thyme tea, help to relieve symptoms like coughing, fever, headache and muscle pain. These can be consumed to complement medical treatment.

Is mucus in the lungs serious?

Catarrh in the lungs can be more serious especially in people who have weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, children, babies, pregnant women and people with chronic health problems.