Does anyone one know what it means when a sputum test is inconclusive. Thanks Ennabelle

[ennabell]

[Hidden]

Hi Ennabelle, I am no expert but I would think that it means your sputum test didn't show any particular organism. My sputum tests frequently come back negative, in other words, they don't show any bugs, despite the fact that I clearly have an infection. Maybe you could ring your doctor/nurse and get then to explain.

[ennabell in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Argana, might sound like a silly question but I have had negative and positive results but never inconclusive. Will ring surgery. Thanks, Ennabelle

[CornishBrian]

Inconclusive means that they didn't detect any bugs in the sample but there is a possibility of a bug that was not detected. This could be because it was in it's early stage, dying out stage or just that the sample wasn't up to the mark in some ways.....so really nit just means they can't say yes or no.

[ennabell in reply to CornishBrian]

Thanks

[Hidden]

My doc told me it's possible for bugs not to be found in sputum test even if they are there...perhaps we get the sneakily hiding variety.

[ennabell in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[helingmic in reply to Hidden]

It's quite true; for instance, if you are laready taking any antibiotic, this will mask any bug. when to take a sputum sample? When you start coughing up and before you take any antibiotic.

[Hidden in reply to helingmic]

And also when no antibiotics taken !