system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why does my head produce a seemingly infinite amount of mucous when im sick?
gpt
When we get sick from an infection, the body produces an inflammatory response to protect us from the bacteria or virus. As part of this response, signalling substances are produced and released by the mucous-producing cells lining our nose. More blood flows to the area and body water leaks out between the cells of the membranes in an attempt to wash away the dead tissue, white blood cells, and bacteria/virus (hence the yucky yellow/green colour) leading to a runny nose. Unfortunately, swelling of tissues is also part of the inflammatory process, and that is why we get congested sometimes as well.