Keep the mucus thin rather than thick and sticky. This helps prevent complications, such as ear and sinus infections, and plugging of your nasal passages. To thin the mucus:

• Drink extra fluids.
• Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier.
• Use saline nasal sprays.

Antihistamines may reduce the amount of mucus. Be careful, because some antihistamines may make you drowsy. Don't use over-the-counter nasal sprays more often than 3 days on and 3 days off, unless told to by your doctor.

OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS

Many people think that a green or yellow nasal discharge means a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotics. This is NOT true. Colds will often begin with a clear nasal discharge, but after several days it usually turns creamy yellow or green. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics will not help. A green or yellow nasal discharge is not a sign that you need antibiotics.

• Drainage is foul smelling, one-sided, or a color other than white or yellow
• Nasal discharge follows a head injury
• Symptoms last more than 3 weeks
• Syptoms last more than 10 days in a child under 3 years old
• There is fever with nasal discharge

Your doctor may perform a physical examination, including an examination of the ears, nose, and throat.

Your doctor may ask medical history questions, such as:

• Is the discharge thin and watery, or is it thick?
• Is it bloody?
• What color is it?
• How long has the nasal discharge been present?
• Is it present all the time?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Is your nose stuffy or congested?
• Do you have a cough or headache?
• Do you have a sore throat?
• Do you have a fever?

Tests that may be performed include:

• CT scan of the head
• X-rays of the skull and sinuses

For allergic rhinitis, the health care provider may prescribe antihistamines. Antibiotics should only be prescribed for bacterial infections.