What does green snot mean?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Green snot usually means a normal cold mid-fight - white blood cells cause the color, not bacteria. Worry instead about 10+ days without improvement, or getting better then worse.
What to do
- Expect 7 to 10 days - clear, then green, then clearing is the normal cold arc.
- Skip the antibiotic instinct - color alone is a poor reason, per MedlinePlus sinusitis guidance.
- Use saline rinses, fluids, and rest - the actual first-line care.
- See a clinician for 10+ days or double worsening - that pattern suggests bacterial sinusitis.
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