User login
Enter your username and password here in order to log in on the website:
Please note: While some information will still be current in a year, other information may already be out of date in three months time. If you are in any doubt, please feel free to ask.
Sputum color
- Question
- Hello. What does the sputum color reveal? Thanks in advance for your answer!
- Answer
- Hello,
the color and consistency of sputum (a secretion from the respiratory tract, not saliva) can provide evidence of a possible bacterial or viral infection.
E.g., one distinguishes between yellowish and greenish discolored sputum, which can point to particular germs (greenish color: probably Pseudomonas). If whitish, somewhat viscous sputum is coughed up, this can be the result of a viral infection. In case of an acute bronchial allergy, the sputum can look whitish and dull, too. If reddish sputum is coughed up, this points to a hemorrhage, which is always an alarm signal.
Kind regards,
Dr. C. von Mallinckrodt - 26.03.2009
