Does strep throat cause bloody mucus?

Ah, the joys of the human body – it’s like a never-ending ride at an amusement park, but instead of cotton candy and cute little plush toys, we get mucus and swollen glands! Now if you’ve stumbled into this article because you’re wondering if strep throat is responsible for your nose grenades, then look no further. Today we’ll explore whether or not the throne made entirely out of loo rolls with flushing sound effects that is strep throat can cause bloody mucus.

To Understand Bloody Mucous We Must Understand Strep Throat

Before we dive headfirst into our red jelly-like substance mystery tour, let us first acquaint ourselves with Streptococcus pyogenes, better known as Group A Streptococcus bacteria – or for simplicity’s sake; GAS (no jokes please). This bacterial infection has been around since Vikings stuck their fingers in each other’s infected cuts to claim victory (note: do not try at home). It mainly lives in your throat and mouth producing some nasty symptoms such as:

  • Sore throats
  • Fever
  • Tonsils so big they stop you from breathing properly
  • Swollen neck lymph nodes
  • And potentially…dun dun DUUUN…bloody mucous!

Alrighty then… So…what are these stringy blood-vesselly things coming out of my face-hole?!

Could Blood Be Related to Nosebleeds Caused by Strep Throat?

Firstly, let me just say there aren’t many feelings quite like experiencing blood gushing uncontrollably from a bodily orifice. Nosebleeds throughout life are relatively commonplace phenomena for humans that bleed on the inside when hit too hard in cartoons (and certain sports). In terms of causes though, could nasal cavity irritation caused by infected snot factories have something to do with bloody mucus in strep throat patients? Well, the short answer is… Yes!

Strep Throat And Blood Vessels

When you have an infection like strep throat, your membranes may become inflamed and irritated. This leads to some of your tiny blood vessels breaking due from heightened pressure or trauma (bit dramatic but true). Thus resulting in their hemoglobin-filled contents featuring heavily in our mucous production.

Furthermore, other catalysts can also make nosebleeds team up with tonsillitis for a double threat of gore-soaked tissues such as:

  • trauma to any part of the nose caused by picking it (don’t deny we’ve all been there)
  • high altitudes that cause stress on nasal blood vessels (peeking through aircraft windows while flying over mountains count too)
  • Low humidity air can also dry out internal nasal passages

All these factors coupled with strep fever’s potential dehydration causing drier noses than usual could lead to an unsightly red smear gobbed into pans across the world.

Is Bloody Mucous Normal?

So when you’re staring at Kleenex stained beyond recognition after sneezing into it does this mean Armageddon has come and gone? Not quite… although grossly unpleasant & somewhat alarming, spot bleeding isn’t unheard off (emphasis on “spot!”). It’s usually not heavy enough to require medical attention; one might only reach for help if they’re experiencing prolonged or repeated bouts with mini crime scene re-enactments.

What Should I Do If My Mucus Becomes Bloody?

Well first things first don’t panic – at least until getting tested would be wise! Strep bacteria will need anti-biotics treatment either way and while effects usually get milder within 3-7 days; pain killers are helpful along-side plenty fluids/drinking soup out of novelty thermoses shaped like Bunta-kun to reduce symptoms.
Stay away from spicy foods so your body doesn’t have to burn two out of ends!

To wrap things up, having strep throat can lead to bloody mucus due to some slightly gruesome reasons all humans will eventually experience, but it’s usually not something you need a grave for just yet. With resting and medication we should be back on our feet (with legs attached) in no time.

Final Words

So there you have it folks; another medical question answered – Minus the seemingly never-ending debate about who has finished the last roll of toilet paper…

Stay safe!

Oh, one more thing- if anyone brings up “you bleed like a stuck pig” after catching us wiping our red noses:

“Just going through this bloody nose problem I picked up while saving Gazorpazorpfield from an alternate dimension”
(Amazing what people believe these days!)

Random Posts