Editing Sputum (section)

==Interpretation==
Sputum can be (when examined by the naked eye):{{Citation needed|date=April 2018}}
*Bloody<ref name="DeGowin's"/> ([[hemoptysis]])
**Blood-streaked sputum –an indicator of possible inflammation of the throat (larynx and/or trachea) or bronchi; [[lung cancer]]; other bleeding erosions, ulcers, or tumors of the lower airway.
**Pink sputum – it indicates sputum evenly mixed with blood from [[Pulmonary alveolus|alveoli]] and/or small peripheral bronchi as is seen in potential [[pulmonary edema]].
**Massive blood – an indicator of possible cavitary [[tuberculosis]] or tumor such as [[lung cancer]], or [[lung abscess]]; [[bronchiectasis]]; lung [[infarction]]; pulmonary [[embolism]].
**Red, jelly-like sputum - an indicator of possible pneumonia caused by [[Klebsiella]].
*Green or greenish colored - indicative of potential longstanding respiratory infection (green from degenerative changes in cell debris) as in pneumonia, ruptured lung abscess, chronic infectious bronchitis, and infected bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis.
*Rust colored – usually caused by [[pneumococcal]] bacteria (in [[pneumonia]]), pulmonary [[embolism]], [[lung cancer]] or pulmonary [[tuberculosis]]. 
*Brownish –potential indicator of chronic bronchitis (greenish/yellowish/brown); chronic pneumonia (whitish-brown); [[tuberculosis]]; [[lung cancer]]. 
*Yellow, yellowish [[purulent]] – an indicator of the sample containing pus. "The sputum color of patients with acute cough and no underlying chronic lung disease does not imply therapeutic consequences such as prescription of antibiotics."<ref>{{cite journal|pmc = 3410464|pmid=19242860|doi=10.1080/02813430902759663|volume=27|issue=2|title=Sputum color for diagnosis of a bacterial infection in patients with acute cough|vauthors=Altiner A, Wilm S, Däubener W, Bormann C, Pentzek M, Abholz HH, Scherer M|authorlink7=Martin Scherer|journal=Scand J Prim Health Care|pages=70–3|year=2009}}</ref> The color can provide hints as to effective treatment in chronic bronchitis patients:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110203101936/http://www.pulmonaryreviews.com:80/aug00/pr_aug00_sputum.html Sputum Color is the Key to Treating Acute COPD Exacerbations]</ref>
**A yellow-greenish (mucopurulent) color suggests that treatment with antibiotics can reduce symptoms. The green color is caused by degenerating neutrophil [[Myeloperoxidase|verdoperoxidase]].
*Whitish gray sputum color against a white color background (such as a white sink surface) tends to indicate either a specimen from someone who is dehydrated, and/or from an older person, and/or a specimen with a mixed, modest number of eosinophils and maybe some acute inflammatory neutrophil cells (this last choice tends to suggest chronic allergic bronchitis).
*A white, milky, or opaque (mucoid) appearance means that antibiotics are less likely to be effective in treatment because the likelihood is greater of a viral infection or allergy than of antibiotic-responsive micro-organisms. Thickness may indicate asthma.
*Foamy white – may come from earlier-phase [[pulmonary edema]].
*Frothy pink – may indicate more severe [[pulmonary edema]]. Antibiotics may not be necessary at this time. 
*Clear – pulmonary [[embolism]] (clear to frothy); COPD [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] (clear to gray); viral respiratory infection (clear to whitish and sometimes a hint of yellow); [[asthma]] (thick and white to yellowish).