sputum (phlegm)

Characteristics

• mucoid sputum: translucent, white or gray
• purulent sputum: yellow or green (may be large volume)
  • bronchiectasis
  • lung abscess (foul smelling)
• mucopurulent: components of both mucoid & purulent sputum
• yellow-green sputum production may be due to acute bronchitis
• frothy pink sputum: pulmonary edema
• current jelly sputum (sticky, red):
  • characteristic of Klebsiella pneumonia
• bronchial casts, mucous plugs & thin strings seen in
  • asthma
  • bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
  • mucoid impactation syndrome

Laboratory

• sputum gram stain & sputum culture
• acid fast stain & mycobacterial culture if indicated
• microscopy for eosinophils, Charcot-Leyden crystals & Curschmann's spirals in asthmatics

Management

• excessive, thick sputum
  • keep air moist, drink fluids
  • gargle with salt water
  • guaifenesin thins thick sputum
  • dornase-alfa is mucolytic

More general terms

• body fluid

More specific terms

• blood-tinged sputum
• foul-smelling sputum

Additional terms

• bronchorrhea
• culture of sputum
• sputum cytology
• sputum gram stain