How the Test is Performed
A sputum sample is needed. You will be asked to cough deeply and spit any phlegm that comes up from your lungs into a special container. The sample is sent to a lab. There, it is placed in a special dish (culture). It is then watched to see if bacteria or other disease-causing germs grow.
How to Prepare for the Test
Drinking a lot of water and other fluids the night before the test may make it easier to cough up the sputum.
How the Test will Feel
You will need to cough. Sometimes the health care provider will tap on your chest to loosen deep sputum. Or, you may be asked to inhale a steamlike mist to help you cough up the sputum. You may have some discomfort from having to cough deeply.
Why the Test is Performed
The test helps identify the bacteria or other type of germs that are causing an infection in the lungs or airways (bronchi).
Normal Results
In a normal sputum sample there will be no disease-causing germs.
What Abnormal Results Mean
If the sputum sample is abnormal, the results are called “positive.” Identifying the bacteria, fungus, or virus may help diagnose the cause of:
- Bronchitis (swelling and inflammation in the main passages that carry air to the lungs)
- Lung abscess (collection of pus in the lung)
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
- A flare-up of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the sputum test?
- A sputum test, also known as a sputum culture, is a test that your doctor may order when you have a respiratory tract infection or other lung-related disorder to determine what is growing in the lungs. Sputum is a thick substance that accumulates when bacteria or fungi grows and multiples in the lungs or bronchi.
What if the sputum culture test is positive?
- If your AFB culture was positive, it means you have active TB or another type of AFB infection. The culture can identify which type of infection you have. Once you have been diagnosed, your provider may order a “susceptibility test” on your sample.
What does routine respiratory flora mean?
- That means that when a person has a bacterial respiratory infection, there will typically be harmless bacteria that are normally present in the mouth, throat, etc. ( normal flora) as well as disease-causing (pathogenic) bacteria present.
Can a sputum test detect pneumonia?
- Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream. Sputum test. A sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken after a deep cough and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the infection.
What is culture-positive TB?
- Tuberculosis culture results are negative if no Mycobacterium tuberculosis is found in the culture. Test results are positive if these bacteria are found in the culture.
How is TB culture done?
- A culture test involves studying bacteria by growing the bacteria on different substances. This is to find out if particular bacteria are present. In the case of the TB culture test, the test is to see if the TB bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is present.
How do you read sputum test results?
- The results of a sputum culture test are primarily reported as normal (negative) or abnormal (positive): Normal or negative means that the test did not detect any harmful germs in your sputum. Abnormal or positive indicates that potentially harmful bacteria or fungi were detected.
How do you read a sputum culture?
Sputum Culture
