Symptoms associated with thick mucus vary but may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Mucus in the throat is also referred to as postnatal drip.

Symptoms specific to mucus in your throat include:

Thick mucus in your throat can also cause coughing.

Person at home on sofa coughing, with tissue

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The mucus you cough up can be several different colors.

Sometimes, the color of the mucus hints at the underlying cause.

For example, dark yellow or green mucus may indicate pneumonia.

Kashif J. Piracha, MD

Thick, sticky mucus is rarely an isolated symptom.

Treatment

Treating thick, sticky mucus depends on the cause of your symptoms.

Complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture are also an option.

Viral respiratory illnesses usually resolve on their own.

OTC medications, like decongestants and expectorants, may provide relief from symptoms.

Although OTC expectorants can be helpful, you should exercise caution when using them.

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