i've got a cold and a bit of a runny nose and i was wondering...

 

where does all the additional mucus come from when you have cold?

 

if its just stored in your body, why doesn't it always come out at the faster rate it does when you have a cold or runny nose?

 

when you have a cold what causes the additional mucus to be excreeted? what does the body aim to achieve by doing so?

The mucus is always inside your body, it's just that your body keeps it in there so it can functions to trap solid particles and other "junk". When you have a runny nose, your body is attempting to flush out all the bacteria by excreteing it in a stream of mucus. Your body will do anything it can to get rid of the invading organism, and if it has to flood them out in a shower of mucus that is what it will do.

That's one reason your doctor tells you to drink plenty of liquids. The more mucous you are able to make, and the more runny it is, the easier it is for your body to flush out the organisms. This helps prevent secondary bacterial infections.

a) die evil bacteria

 

b) where's the local water supply?

 

 

thanks