A message for aspergillosis patients
July is often a time when people with aspergillosis feel a bit better ā but sometimes, things donāt go quite to plan. If youāve suddenly started getting more mucus āplugsā or are struggling to clear your chest, here are some possible reasons:
š Common Reasons for More Mucus or Plugs in Summer
| Possible Cause | Why it might affect you now |
|---|---|
| Fungal spores are high | July and August bring very high outdoor levels of Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and other moulds ā especially on dry, windy days or after cutting grass. These can trigger inflammation and more mucus. |
| Pollen season continues | Even though tree pollen has gone, grass, weed, and cereal pollen are still in the air. These can worsen symptoms for people with ABPA or asthma. |
| Humidity or storms | Sudden weather changes, humid air, or storms can make breathing more difficult and mucus harder to shift. Some people call this “thunderstorm asthma.” |
| Air pollution (ozone) | Sunny weather increases ozone and air pollution ā both can irritate your airways. |
| Low-level infection or flare-up | If your mucus is thicker, darker, or smells different, it might be a sign of a fungal or bacterial flare-up, even without a high temperature. |
| Hydration or medication changes | Less water, skipping nebulisers, or changes in routine can make mucus stickier. |
| Blocked sinuses | Post-nasal drip from fungal sinusitis can make it feel like mucus is always sitting in your throat or upper chest. |
ā What You Can Do
-
Drink more fluids, especially warm water or squash
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Use saline in your nebuliser to loosen thick mucus
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Do your chest clearance exercises more often ā flutter device, ACBT, or huffing
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Donāt skip antifungals, inhalers, or mucolytics like carbocisteine
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Consider a nasal rinse if your sinuses feel blocked
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Keep windows closed on high spore or high pollen days
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Speak to your team if things donāt settle ā you may need a review or antibiotics
ā ļø When to Get Checked
-
You’re coughing up yellow, green or brown mucus
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Mucus smells bad or has blood in it
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You feel more breathless or more tired
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Youāve needed to increase your nebuliser use
š¬ You’re Not Alone
Many patients with aspergillosis get more mucus at this time of year ā even when the sunās out! Donāt assume itās ājust the weather.ā Sometimes itās a sign that your lungs or sinuses are reacting to invisible spores in the air.
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