Common myths of infancy

Myth: Green mucous from the nose signals a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. Truth: The color of what comes out of a child's nose is no foolproof indication of a serious infection. Instead, the green mucous can merely be an indicator that the body is releasing inflammatory cells. Children with a bacterial infection usually look much sicker than those with a garden-variety cold and can have fevers, chronic coughs, and headaches.
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Text by Stephen Smith, Globe Staff
Myth: Green mucous from the nose signals a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics.

Truth: The color of what comes out of a child's nose is no foolproof indication of a serious infection. Instead, the green mucous can merely be an indicator that the body is releasing inflammatory cells. Children with a bacterial infection usually look much sicker than those with a garden-variety cold and can have fevers, chronic coughs, and headaches.