Fungal Infection
-- Clarification: my post about the original topic of getting blackish threads in clear mucus from coughing/ blowing nose, whereas the reply just before mine sounds like a different situation.---
I have had the same experience for a couple years-- however I have become quite sick from it. Somehow I contracted toxic mold from my old condo, I developed consistently sore throat, painful breathing, and extreme fatigue and no appetite (I lost 40 lbs in two months!)
My nurse practitioner had the 'black threads' tested and they were a form of toxic mold/fungus, so I was treated with an anti-fungal medicine. The black threads went away, and I started feeling better.
About six months later I got another really sore throat (couldn't sip water without choking/gagging). I noticed the black threads again... I started getting fatigued and didn't eat very much-- and breathing a full breath was excruciatingly painful. I walked to work one day, felt dizzy, and nearly passed out before I called my BF to pick me up, cause I didn't think I could walk the 4 blocks back home.
By the time he got to my work I had coughed up some more black threads and blood-- and I had to get a dr's note for missing the rest of my shift. So I went to an 'urgent care' clinic, where the doctor promptly told my boyfriend to get me to the ER, or he would call an ambulance.
After getting the ER, an oxygen mask was slapped on and chest x-rays were taken. I had serious pneumonia-- when word got round to the doctor/ resident dr that I had had the black threads in my lungs the resident told me about the rise of this type of infection. Many people seem to get the mold/fungus in their sinuses (esp if they are gardeners), and then it goes away-- rarely it doesn't. It stays in the lungs/sinuses, check out 'Blastomycosis' for example.
There is suspicion that this horrible fungal disease has begun affecting my lymphatic system and thyroid-- as well as my skin, joints and inner ear. Its really horrible-- and so depressing. I am always so exhausted... SOOOOO.... to the point.... if you feel sick and you get the nasty black threads in your mucus.... get it tested to find out what kind of fungus/mold it is, and use an anti-fungal to treat it.
(FYI

Sugars feed the fungus, as do steroidal medicines (like inhalers) so rinse your mouth and gargle with water to rinse after using them; and antibiotics can make fungal infections worse.
Hope this helps!!

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