This time of year, when the flu and other virus infections attach our respiratory system, it is important that we are able to clear those respiratory infections effectively. When the lining of the airways is presented with a virus or bacteria one of the first things to happen is special cells in the airways begin to produce mucous. The mucous is designed to encapsulate the virus or bacteria but we then need to get it out. Although most of us would think that coughing is the next step, you would be forgetting an important mechanism that requires a microscope to see.
Attached to cells that line the airways from the trachea to the respiratory bronchioles (really far down the tracheobronchial tree) are little hairlike structures called cilia. These cilia wave the mucous outward from the farthest portions of the airways. This is a very important mechanism since the lower airways are not sensitive to touch, and they do not really “feel” the mucous. It is not until the mucous containing the virus or bacteria get into the more central airways that the cough reflex in generated.
This blanket of mucous which covers the airways can be very thick at times and its thickness is determined by the level of hydration the patient may have. That is why we recommend patients drink plenty of water. Keeping the mucous more liquid allows the tiny cilia to do their job so we can clear any infection.
