Editing Sputum (section)

{{short description|Mucus that is coughed up from the lower airways}}
{{More medical citations needed|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name            = Abnormal sputum
| synonyms        = Mucus
| image           = Enterococcus histological pneumonia 01.png
| caption         = [[Cocci]]-shaped ''[[Enterococcus]]'' sp. [[bacteria]] taken from a [[pneumonia]] patient
| pronounce       = {{IPA|/'spju:təm/}}
| field           = [[Pulmonology]]
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'''Sputum''' is [[mucus]] that is coughed up from the lower airways (the [[trachea]] and [[bronchi]]). In medicine, sputum samples are usually used for a naked eye examination, microbiological investigation of respiratory infections and [[Cytopathology|cytological]] investigations of respiratory systems.

A naked eye exam of the sputum can be done at home by a patient in order to note the various colors (see below). Any hint of yellow or green color ([[pus]]) suggests an airway infection (but does not indicate the type of organism causing it). Such color hints are best detected when the sputum is viewed on a very white background such as white paper, a white pot or a white sink surface. 

Having green, yellow, or thickened phlegm (sputum) does not always indicate the presence of an infection. Also, if an infection is present, the color of the phlegm (sputum) does not determine whether a virus, a bacterium or another pathogen has caused it. Simple allergies can also cause changes in the color of the mucus. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Green phlegm and snot 'not always a sign of an infection needing antibiotics'|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-phlegm-and-snot-not-always-a-sign-of-an-infection-needing-antibiotics|access-date=2022-04-17|website=GOV.UK|date=18 November 2013 |language=en}}</ref>