HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Does Yellow/green Nasal Discharge Indciate?

default
Posted on Mon, 19 May 2014
Question: Hi Dr XXXXXXX

I am writing again with similar sinus issues as before. I ended up doing the sinus surgery January 6th and have never felt completely better since. I was cultured right before the surgery, which came back with an overgrowth of citrobacter ferundii (the same infection from a year prior). I held off on antibiotics. I have been back to the ENT several times after surgery and each time I have yellow/green mucous that needs to be cleaned. I have asked him to culture it 2 more times and each time it has returned with no growth. The ENT prescribed an antifungal, levoquin, and a steroid in a nebulizer to treat the infection. I don't do well on levoquin. So my question is... would you treat the infection without a positive culture. And the color of the mucous is golden rod yellow, which I thought (and my ENT mentioned) might be staph. I know sinus staph as well as citrobacter are treated with doxycycline (the original cultures both grew sensitivity to levoquin, cipro, bactrim, and doxycycline). I'm allergic to bactrim, cipro and levoquin gave me bad reactions, and I have taken two courses of Doxycycline with no improvements. Should I try the doxycycline again now that my sinuses are draining or should I just give the Levoquin a shot? I was told the the absorption rate of these medications is very low.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (4 hours later)
Brief answer....given below
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query,
Nice to hear from you again.
In my opinion there is no point treating for bacterial infection if the culture has come negative on two occasions.
Yellow or green nasal discharge does give an impression of infection but not always so.
Allergies to dust,pollen,smoke,chemical fumes,dry air can give rise to yellow coloured discharge,however you may give a try to levaquin as it has been suggested by your doctor.
In addition,drink plenty of water,take steam inhalation twice a day for proper drainage of mucus and ask your doctor regarding nasal rinsing which can be done by you at home.
I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Does Yellow/green Nasal Discharge Indciate?

Brief answer....given below Detailed answer... Hello, Thanks for the query, Nice to hear from you again. In my opinion there is no point treating for bacterial infection if the culture has come negative on two occasions. Yellow or green nasal discharge does give an impression of infection but not always so. Allergies to dust,pollen,smoke,chemical fumes,dry air can give rise to yellow coloured discharge,however you may give a try to levaquin as it has been suggested by your doctor. In addition,drink plenty of water,take steam inhalation twice a day for proper drainage of mucus and ask your doctor regarding nasal rinsing which can be done by you at home. I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query. Best of luck Thanks