What is a sputum sample?
Sputum samples may be coughed up or induced. Samples that are coughed up are expelled into a sterile cup provided by the laboratory. Deep coughing is generally required, and the person should be informed that it is phlegm/mucus from the lungs that is necessary, not saliva.
What can sputum samples show?
A sputum test can diagnose: Bronchitis. Lung abscess. Pneumonia….Who needs a sputum test?
- Cough.
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle aches.
- Breathing problems.
- Chest pain.
- Confusion.
How is a sputum sample collected?
Take a very deep breath and hold the air for 5 seconds. Slowly breathe out. Take another deep breath and cough hard until some sputum comes up into your mouth. Spit the sputum into the plastic cup.
What is the result of sputum test?
A sputum culture is a test to find germs (such as TB bacteria) that can cause an infection. A sample of sputum is added to a substance that promotes the growth of bacteria. If no bacteria grow, the culture is negative. If bacteria grow, the culture is positive.
What color sputum indicates infection?
As a general rule, sputum is dark green in the early stages of an infection and gradually lightens as the infection improves. It is the presence of an enzyme called myeloperoxidase that gives the sputum its green color, during an infection. Some infections may cause sputum to be yellow, gray, or rusty colored.
What does TB sputum look like?
It is usually thick, cloudy and sticky. Sputum is not saliva (spit) as saliva comes from your mouth and is thin, clear and watery.
How much sputum is needed for a sputum test?
The necessary amount of sputum for most tests is 5 ml (about 1 teaspoon). However, multiple tests are often ordered so more specimen may be needed. Some testing is best done on serial specimens, so you may be asked to collect for three days in a row.
How does TB sputum look like?
What makes up a sample of a sputum culture?
What Is a Sputum Culture? A sputum culture is a sample of the gooey substance that often comes up from your chest when you have an infection in your lungs or airways. It is mostly made up of white blood cells that fight infection mixed with germs.
What does sputum stand for in medical terms?
Sputum is a type of mucus that may be expelled when coughing. There are many different reasons for the body to produce excess sputum. Below is a list of some of these causes, along with how the sputum may appear. In smokers, mucus builds up in the lungs, causing a “smoker’s cough.” The sputum produced may be green, yellow, or bloody.
How is the quality of sputum samples in Uganda?
Conclusion: The majority of sputum samples had poor quality. Additional efforts are needed to improve quality of samples collected at the end of treatment, from East and Northeast zones, and from patients who had previously defaulted. Keywords Tuberculosis, Sputum Specimen Quality, Uganda
Where does the sputum come from in lung cancer?
More in Lung Cancer. Sputum or phlegm is the mucousy substance secreted by cells in the lower airways (bronchi and bronchioles) of the respiratory tract. It differs from saliva, which is produced higher up, in the mouth. Sputum can be any color including clear, white, yellow, green, pink or red and blood tinged with different medical conditions.