covid phlegm color chart

Pink and frothy phlegm can mean that someone is experiencing heart failure, especially when it occurs with any of the following symptoms: Anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit the emergency room immediately. These patients are literally drowning in their own respiratory secretions, Bollyky said, butthat accumulation isexceptionally difficult to dislodge, contributing to the infamous dry cough of COVID-19. In other situations, blood in the mucus can indicate the presence of a serious medical condition such as tuberculosis, an abscess, or lung cancer. Black nasal mucus may also be a sign of a serious fungal infection. However, allergies like hayfever can increase it so its production becomes noticeable. / Other signs you should make an appointment: In rare cases, the infection may spread to the eye or brain. While not common, people with compromised immune systems may be susceptible to this type of illness. People with asthma, as well as senior adults and people with other pre-existing conditions, are at high risk from complications from the flu. For gargling, a person can dissolve a one-quarter teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. The yellow coloring comes from white blood cells that have rushed to the area to fight off the infection. reasons for coughing up phlegm without feeling ill. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724298/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8615244/, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.544826/full, https://myhealth.ucsd.edu/conditions/COPD/85,P00206, https://tisserandinstitute.org/essential-oil-dilution-chart/, https://www.mlhealth.org/about/news/health-benefits-humidifier, https://www.plu.edu/chws/health/what-to-do-when/home-remedies/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7163989/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430819/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557611/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6355924/, //www.google.com/books/edition/Respiratory_Care_Patient_Assessment_and/iLAPEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22sputum+color%22&pg=PA108&printsec=frontcover, A safer blood thinner? It is important to get the flu vaccine every year. Brown phlegm may indicate possible bleeding. What the color of your snot says about your health. But mucins levels in severe COVID-19 patients sputum varied a great deal. If you see green or yellow phlegm, its usually a sign that your body is fighting an infection. The only treatment for a cold is rest and time. Someone who has black phlegm should contact their doctor immediately, especially if they have a weakened immune system. We're sorry. Have you ever wondered where snot comes from and why colds, allergies, and crying make nasal mucus more obvious? That could be just damage or irritation of the lining. This is due to lung congestion that can occur during the infection and persist even after it resolves. Biochemical, biophysical, and immunological characterization of respiratory secretions in severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. Together, they harness the full potential of biomedicine through collaborative research, education and clinical care for patients. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Apaperpublished May 2 inThe Journal of Clinical Investigationdescribes a recently concluded clinical trial, led by Bollyky, of a small-molecule drug thats been shown in lab studies to prevent the buildup of hyaluronan. Green Green mucus means that the infection is a bit stronger. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/b/bronchitis.html, lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/black-lung, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3945631/, web.biosci.utexas.edu/field/mic361a/mic361/pneumoco.htm, lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/symptoms-and-diagnosis, aafa.org/rhinitis-nasal-allergy-hayfever/, health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129, acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/sinus-infection/, heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/warning-signs-of-heart-failure, How to Get Rid of Phlegm: Tips, Home Remedies, and Medications to Try, Acute Bronchitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More, 5 Natural Expectorants to Relieve Your Cough, Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. It turns out that your phlegm. Lead study co-authors are former postdoctoral fellowsMichael Kratochvil, PhD, andSally Demirdjian, PhD; and basic life research scientistGernot Kaber, PhD. This phlegm is mostly filled with water, protein, antibodies, and some dissolved salts to help lubricate and moisturize your respiratory system. Whatever the cause, brown phlegm should always prompt a visit to the GP, particularly if accompanied by a prolonged cough. Red phlegm signals the presence of blood. Gargling with salt water or using a saline solution to clear out the nasal passages is a common way to help clear out phlegm during a viral or bacterial infection. Your mucus is there to protect your nose and sinuses from things like dust, bacteria, and other environmental. This drug, 4-methylumbelliferone, or 4-MU, has never been tested for that purpose in humans. Symptoms can come on gradually, or they can come on suddenly. Here are some common questions and answers regarding phlegm. It may also mean you have a fungal infection that needs medical attention. Interestingly, the color of the mucus is an important indicator when it comes to infection.. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Yellow phlegm means your illness is progressing normally. Allergens irritate the nasal passages, which can lead to the production of thick, pale yellow phlegm that runs down the back of the throat and causes coughing. (2013). A bacterial infection may worsen as it progresses and continue beyond this time period. TheJCI Insightstudy was funded by the National Institutes for Health (grants T32AI007502-23 and K23HL125663), Stanford Medicine Catalyst and Stanford Innovative Medicines Accelerator. Treatments can include nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants, and immunotherapy (allergy shots). (2021). Colds or infections will usually cause green or yellow phlegm. Fibrotic lungs, in turn, make for chronic shortness of breath a symptom often reported by long COVID-19 sufferers. Brown phlegm that appears 'rusty' is often a sign of old blood in the mucus. Green or yellow phlegm can occur with an infection, but. Dont judge your mucus by its color. If you have flu symptoms or are exposed to someone with the flu, contact your doctor right away. Nasal mucus that flows freely has more water content than snot thats hard. While mucus is associated with bacteria, it's important to remember that bacteria are present in your body all the time. So it can also be alarming if you happen to spot yellow, brown, bloody, or green mucus in your used tissue. (2021). Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Your body continues making it around the clock to help line and protect your nose and sinuses. Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg. Some of the conditions on this list are viral. 1235 South Clark Street Suite 305, Arlington, VA 22202, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 2023. Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room if you have these asthma symptoms: The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that started spreading worldwide in December 2019. Snot is produced by your sinuses as protection against the outside world and its many viruses and other dangers. If you have asthma, keeping your asthma under control can reduce your chances of having a severe asthma episode or attack if you get sick. The texture may be drier and thicker than normal. What does pink or red (bloody) snot mean? Smoking cigarettes and crack has also been linked to black mucus. Can't stop coughing? They usually peak in severity between days three and five. Replace the filters on your heating/air conditioning units as recommended by manufacturer. Thick, gummy respiratory secretions are at the heart of severe COVID-19, Bollyky said. The virus can impact your lungs in a number of ways. Maybe, maybe not. Below, MailOnline breaks down the different colours of mucus and what they could mean for your health. At the first sign of asthma symptoms, take your quick-relief (sometimes called rescue) medicine. All rights reserved. Isolate yourself from people you live with and wear a face mask around them even at home. Instead, pay attention to the duration of your illness and the worsening of your other symptoms. Penn Medicine. Pink When a patient has pink, frothy secretions, This is always a sign of pulmonary edema. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction. Whats Causing This Thick, Rubbery Nasal Mucus? See additional information. You may experience white phlegm with several health conditions. That means they dont respond to antibiotics. Springtime pollen allergies are in full swing. Allergy-related phlegm will tend to be clear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more here. The investigators compared the patients sputum with that of 15 people whose lungs were in good health as well as with sputum from patients who had other conditions affecting the lungs, such as cystic fibrosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have asthma, rhinitis symptoms can irritate your lungs and cause asthma symptoms. Although the green-yellowy tinge of phlegm during colds usually clears up within a few weeks, it can be a sign of something more serious if accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath. It may be time to call your doctor if you notice it in your airways, throat, or if you start coughing it up. Still, if youve had your cold or infection for 12 days or more, it may be a good time to make an appointment. Most coughs clear up in about two to three weeks, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Being subject to heavy air pollution may cause your snot to come out black. Inflammation is a defensive process our immune system uses to fight off COVID. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Why might mucus change color? Common allergens that can cause rhinitis include animal dander, dust mites, mold, and pollen. To collect sputum from severely breathing-impaired COVID-19 patients on the day they entered the intensive care unit, the Stanford researchers suctioned it out of the lungs of 17 consenting patients just after tubes were placed in their tracheasbutbefore they were hooked up to mechanical ventilators. Spoiler alert: The best way to find out if you have COVID-19 is to get tested. Schmerling RH. Bollyky shares senior authorship of the study withCarlos Milla, MD, professor of pediatric pulmonary medicine;Angela Rogers, MD, associate professor of pulmonary and critical care;Andrew Spakowitz, PhD, professor of chemical engineering and of materials science and engineering; andSarah Heilshorn, PhD, professor of materials science and of engineering and director of theGeballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials. Shmerling RH. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. There are many reasons for blood in the phlegm. may be a sign of an advanced lung infection, like pneumonia or TB. Green, thick snot means your body is fighting a hard battle. Your phlegm may get thicker and darker as an infection progresses. COVID-19 diarrhea can cause green stool by the way it causes yellow stool (lack of fat breakdown). You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Once the cells have done their work, theyre discarded in your snot and give it a dark yellowish tinge. In severe cases, red-tinged phlegm or even coughing up blood can be a sign of lung cancer. We analyzed this sputum to see what its made of, why its so difficult for the lungs to get rid of and how it affects the immune response, Bollyky said. It usually has something to do with whats going on inside or outside your body. Rhinitis as a cause of respiratory disorders during pregnancy. I have no cough, but I still have mucus in the back of my throat. Unavailable in the United States, 4-MU was approved in Europe half a century ago and is widely available in Asia, Africa and the Middle East but only for treating a condition unrelated to COVID-19: Its used to counter biliary spasm (the intense pain experienced by people with gallstones when their gallbladders, periodically contracting to squirt bile into the digestive tract, wind up squeezing the stones). When someone has a cold or infection, the phlegm can become thickened and change color. However, he adds that this color isn't always cause for concern. Like COVID-19, call your doctor before walking into their office if you have symptoms or have been exposed to the flu. Breathe in through your mouth and pour the solution into the upper nostril. Last medically reviewed on March 2, 2022. If you have these severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away: If you have to leave home for treatment, wear a face mask to prevent spreading the virus. Pink or red: nosebleed, often from dry nasal passages Sometimes after (or during) an infection, your nasal discharge can turn pink, especially if you've been blowing your nose a lot. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. Acute bronchitis causes coughs that produce mucus. Other reasons to seek medical help include: Brown mucus could result from dried blood getting mixed in. To get the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations approval for a new therapeutic use, 4-MU must complete a full battery of clinical trials in the United States. In severe cases, brown mucus can even be a sign of a lung abscess, which is a painful collection of pus that is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Children are particularly prone to colds. In addition to the above-mentioned instances of when to get emergency care, it may be time to make an appointment to see a healthcare provider if you have yellow or green snot in addition to any of the following: You may want to contact a health care provider if your child has yellow or green snot and other symptoms, including: Your healthcare provider can determine what over-the-counter or prescription medicine is best to help relieve your symptoms. A separate clinical trial led by Bollyky and recently published inThe Journal of Clinical Investigationhas cleared the path for further development of a drug that may be able to break the logjam. Their study was the first to analyze in depth the makeup, viscosity and immunological characteristics of sputum from the lungs of patients with severe cases of COVID-19, said Paul Bollyky, MD, PhD, an associate professor of infectious diseases and of microbiology and immunology. If you start having trouble breathing when sick with a cold, start following the Yellow/Caution Zone on your Asthma Action Plan. If you have allergies, the best way to prevent or reduce symptoms is to reduce or avoid contact with the things you are allergic to. To stop the spread of the respiratory infections: get vaccinated, wash hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, wear a face mask when COVID cases in your community are high, and increase air flow in your indoor environment. Pink, Red or Bloody Phlegm If you're coughing up red, pink or bloody phlegm, you should be seen by your provider. Email him at. As well as being a sign of bacterial pneumonia, brown phlegm can also be due to chronic bronchitis, which often affects smokers, and cystic fibrosis. Nasal discharge can be clear, green, black, and many other colors in between. Bruce Goldman is a senior science writer in the Office of Communications. Most colds last between 5 to 10 days. What can you do to reduce your chances of getting sick? The CDC recommends that people ages 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. "Your lungs and airways start to produce extra mucus to clear out infections when you catch a virus like SARS-CoV-2." The flu vaccine also protects high-risk people you know and come in contact with, like essential workers, teachers, family and friends, pregnant women, children, and senior adults. When you're congested, inflammation in your nose makes it harder for the snot to flow out. Changes in mucus color, from clear to white to yellow to green, are part of the normal course of an illness. Coughing up white mucus may indicate a respiratory condition, such as an infection, asthma, or COPD. COVID-19 is different from other coronaviruses that cause mild illness, such as the common cold.. COVID commonly causes chest congestion and phlegm, along with a cough. If green phlegm occurs with breathing difficulties, chest pain, or coughing up blood, this is another sign to consult a doctor urgently. The color brown often means old blood. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Some phlegm-causing conditions respond best to antibiotics, other medications, and breathing treatments. However, yellow phlegm may be a sign they have an infection. If you do cough it up, pay attention to its appearance. 4-MU is not an antiviral. Coughing . They can recommend a treatment plan to help you get relief. Your body produces clear mucus and phlegm on a daily basis. Keep your windows closed during high pollen and mold seasons. Understanding mucus in your lungs. Scientists have discovered three components in this phlegm that may . Sputum may contain dead cells, foreign debris inhaled into the lung, bacteria, and white blood cells that protect the airway from infection. It becomes thick and even cloudy both signs that you may have a cold or infection brewing. It may clear up on its own, but it sometimes. This novel blood clot treatment doesn't increase bleeding risk, Why young women have more adverse outcomes after a heart attack than young men, Gut microbiome appears to fluctuate throughout the day and across seasons, One-hour endoscopic procedure could eliminate the need for insulin for type 2 diabetes, New clues to slow aging? University of Utah, UHealth: The Scope. Wash your bedding and pillowcases in hot water weekly to reduce allergens. Green mucus isn't a reason for immediate concern. (2021). The green coloring means that lots of white blood cells have been working overtime to fight the infection. The change occurs with the severity and length of the potential sickness. Among other functions, it helps cement cells into place in intact tissues. al. Their study was the first to analyze in depth the makeup, viscosity and immunological characteristics of sputum from the lungs of patients with severe cases of COVID-19, saidPaul Bollyky, MD, PhD, an associate professor of infectious diseases and of microbiology and immunology. This article discusses the various colors your discharge can take onclear, white, yellow, green pink, red, orange, brown, and blackand their possible causes. Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Antibodies in blood soon after COVID-19 onset may predict severity, Researchers identify more than 1,000 genes linked to severe COVID-19. Keep pets out of the bedroom to reduce pet dander allergen in your bedding. Having green, yellow, or thickened phlegm does not always indicate the presence of an infection. Boogers are our body's natural defense against things like bacteria and viruses. Hyaluronan partners with collagen to form pads in our joints, like pairs of bouncy sponges that keep our bones from grinding together when we move. Stanford Universityscientists have implicated a logjam of three long, stringy substances behind deadly thicksputumin COVID-19 patients who need a machine to help them breathe. 4-MUs safety record is excellent, and its inexpensive because its off-patent. The color comes from white blood cells. Black mucus is rare and means you should see a healthcare provider right away. As can COPD, which makes the airways narrow and the lungs produce an abnormal amount of mucus. Follow the Yellow/Caution Zone on your Asthma Action Plan. White phlegm signifies nasal congestion. Learn about how to get rid of phlegm, both at home and at the doctor's office. If your sputum is clear, yellow, or green, you may be OK to wait a few days or even weeks before making an appointment. Pink is considered another shade of red, so it may also indicate that there is blood in your phlegm, just less of it. About one-third of people with COVID-19 experience a cough with mucus (phlegm). Antibiotic prescribing and use in doctor's offices: Sinus infection (sinusitis). Stanfords Office of Technology Licensing has pending and issued patents on intellectual property associated with these studies. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. How to get rid of snot drainage or congestion, marshfieldclinic.org/specialties/allergies/allergies-allergic-and-non-allergic-rhinitis-frequently-asked-questions, link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-4546-9_27, enthealth.org/conditions/fungal-sinusitis/, health.ucsd.edu/news/features/Pages/2017-08-31-listicle-nose-colored-glasses.aspx, kidshealth.org/en/parents/nose-bleed.html, aafa.org/rhinitis-nasal-allergy-hayfever/, health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129, healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/ear-nose-throat/Pages/The-Difference-Between-Sinusitis-and-a-Cold.aspx, How to Get Rid of Phlegm: Tips, Home Remedies, and Medications to Try, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. The comments below have not been moderated, By Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. Gastro reflux can also cause people to cough up thick, white sputum. And while green or yellow snot may indicate a bacterial infectionand a need for antibioticsit can also signal that your body is on the mend. White phlegm can be a sign of viral bronchitis and may progress into yellow-green mucus. Anyone with pink, red, brown, black, or frothy mucus should contact their doctor or go to the local emergency room for an evaluation. can indicate a bacterial . Some other measures to try at home include using the following: Running a humidifier can help moisten the air, which eases breathing, making it easier to cough and loosen up the phlegm stuck in the chest. In addition, antibiotic overuse is linked to antibiotic-resistant infections. Seek immediate medical attention if youre having difficulty breathing. Stanford Medicine is an integrated academic health system comprising the Stanford School of Medicine and adult and pediatric health care delivery systems. This pro-inflammatory character becomes especially pronounced if initially lengthy sequences of hyaluronan are broken into smaller fragments in the fray. A cold usually causes green or yellow snot. This can occur after producingsputum that was red or pink. 2022;7(12):e152629. Researchers explain that this condition is caused by hormonal changes and can develop at any point during gestation. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Coloured mucus green or yellow, and sometimes foul-smelling often comes from a sinus infection, said. Since completing this study, Bollyky and co-authorNadine Nagy, PhD, a research scientist, are co-founders of a Palo Alto-based company, Halo Biosciences, which is developing 4-MU to treat diseases characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. You don't need antibiotics, but bed rest and home care can help. Different areas of the body, including the upper respiratory tract which includes the nose, mouth, and throat and gastrointestinal tract secrete mucus. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Moving beyond colors now: Is your phlegm frothy? They stop foreign matter from getting into our bodies through our. Mucormycosis. When your symptoms coincide with a certain season of the year, its commonly called hay fever even though it doesn't cause a fever and can be triggered by many different allergens. Problems in the lungs can cause phlegm to change color. All rights reserved. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Expectorants are available for both children and adults at the local pharmacy. White, yellow, or green phlegm is usually treatable at home. All rights reserved. My snot is green: A look at what your mucus says about your health. Green or yellow phlegm is commonly caused by: You may also consider this color rusty in appearance. There are also natural remedies that may help ease your cough symptoms. dark yellow or green. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. A leak happens when theres a tear in the membranes surrounding your brain, likely from injury or certain medical conditions, like hydrocephalus. The color comes from dead white blood cells and other waste products. It differs from saliva, which is produced higher up in the mouth. Another word for this texture is mucoid. White and frothy phlegm may be another sign of COPD. Treat symptoms of bronchitis at home with these 10 remedies, and learn about other treatments. If you have any of these symptoms or if you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, take an at-home test or contact your doctor right away. Having asthma or allergies can also cause blood in your nose. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. If you see any shade of red, brown, or black phlegm, or are experiencing frothy sputum, make an appointment right away. Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH, is a board-certified specialist in family medicine and is the former medical director of a community health center. What Causes Excess Mucus in Your Throat and What to Do About It, low-grade fever, or a fever above 98.6F (37C) but lower than 100.4F (38C), applying Vaseline or another ointment to the nasal passages three times a day, using saline nose spray to add moisture to your nasal tissues, trimming fingernails to deter nose-picking, adding moisture to the air with a humidifier, produce more than about 1 tablespoon of blood, positional headaches; for example, you may feel more pain while sitting up versus lying down, yellow snot accompanied by a fever that lasts, headache that may be focused around or behind the eyes and is worse when bending over, swelling around your eyes or dark circles, all-day swelling or redness around the eyes, Try avoiding irritants like ragweed, grasses, and trees on high-pollen days. General symptoms include chest pain, fever, cough, and trouble breathing. You must be signed in to continue. While phlegm is a normal part of the respiratory system, its not normal if its affecting your everyday life. No. Plan indoor activities on days when pollen counts are high. Coronavirus symptoms: Spotting this colour mucus is a warning symptom of an infection (Image: Getty Images) WHO's report on coronavirus said: "Symptoms of COVID-19 are non-specific, and the. It's most common if your infection leads to pneumonia or if. Snot refers to nasal mucus, so it is not phlegm or sputum, which comes from the lungs. It will drain through your lower nostril. My snot is green: A look at what your mucus says about your health, Patient education: Nonallergic rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose), Antibiotics for the common cold and acute purulent rhinitis, Biochemical, biophysical, and immunological characterization of respiratory secretions in severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, Antibiotic prescribing and use in doctor's offices: Sinus infection (sinusitis), Patient education: Acute sinusitis (sinus infection), What the color of your snot really means: decoding the various possible hues, The skinny on snot: What your child's mucus says about their health, During the early stages of a cold or other viral illness, Headaches that get better or worse with a change in position, Dry nasal passages due to illness or weather, Prolonged bleeding for more than 30 minutes, Heavy bleeding, or more than a tablespoon of blood, A prolonged fever of at least 102 degrees F, Pain and pressure in your sinuses and face, Symptoms that persist for more than 10 days, A pattern in which you start to feel better and then get sick again (this is a sign of a secondary infection, such as a bacterial infection after a virus), Fever that lasts for more than three days, Trouble breathing, fast breathing, or wheezing. Nose-colored glasses: See whats wet and runny, kind of funny, except when its not. Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. 2013;2013(6):CD000247. 159 online (1 member Learn about natural ways to treat your cough. Unless you have an underlying medical condition, you may not notice your sputum. Clean and sanitize surfaces that are touched often like doorknobs, light switches, and cell phones. According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms can include: This list may not include all of the symptoms. If it's another color like brown, red, or black, you may have coughed up blood and may be experiencing a more. Black: external irritants, like smoke or pollution

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