First, it’s important to know that fish are covered in a thin layer of mucus. This slimy coating (it is also called a “slime coat”) is known to keep fish healthy by warding off pathogens ...

Americans are weathering the worst flu season in years, as a number of other respiratory illnesses circulate too, such as COVID-19, RSV and the common cold. A telltale sign you’re getting sick ...

If you’ve ever been diagnosed with the common cold or bronchitis, you’ve likely experienced chest congestion. Chest congestion is the result of inflamed air passages, or bronchi, in the lungs ...

Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing health and wellness content. Extra mucus in your throat and chest is a common ...

Your cough can taste bad for many reasons. When a metallic taste is paired with coughing, you may have an upper respiratory infection like a cold. This can cause your phlegm to contain traces of ...

When a person has black or dark-colored mucus, they may have inhaled potentially harmful pollutants. Coughing up black mucus may also be due to an underlying infection or condition. Mucus serves ...

Your sinuses are air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose. When inflamed — usually because of an allergic reaction or an infection — they swell ...

A stuffy nose at night can have causes ranging from respiratory infection, allergies, and nasal polyps to dry air, sleep apnea, and even your sleep position. Lying down can increase blood flow to your ...

Postnasal drip occurs when mucus from your nasal passages drips down the back of your throat. The symptoms of postnasal drip include coughing and frequent throat clearing, a sore or scratchy throat, ...