I have COPD/Asthma.
My sputum is usually greenish in colour and I was told many years ago by a Pulmonary Rehab Nurse "Don't worry about it it's probably the correct colour for you". !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I ask because I hope to have an op and mentioned this and have been asked to provide a sputum sample. When taking my Rescue Pack the sputum becomes clear.
Anyone know the answer to this??
xxxx
Healthy sputum is clear. I was told that green phlegm indicates bacterial infection.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY.
I HAVE HAD THIS COLOUR SPUTUM FOR MANY YEARS ON AND OFF I HAVE EVEN MENTIONED IT TO MY CHEST CONS. AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A SPUTUM SAMPLE HAS BEEN REQUESTED.
THANK GOODNESS I ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION IF THE SPUTUM GETS REALLY DARK AND TAKE MY RESCUE PACK OF ANTIBIOTIC AND PREDNISOLONE
THANK YOU AGAIN
BARDEAR
I need to have a serious chest infections for mine to be green. I'd say clear or very, very pale yellow.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY.
I HAVE HAD THIS COLOUR SPUTUM FOR MANY YEARS ON AND OFF I HAVE EVEN MENTIONED IT TO MY CHEST CONS. AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A SPUTUM SAMPLE HAS BEEN REQUESTED.
THANK GOODNESS I ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION IF THE SPUTUM GETS REALLY DARK AND TAKE MY RESCUE PACK OF ANTIBIOTIC AND PREDNISOLONE
THANK YOU AGAIN
BARDEAR
My understanding is that pulmonary rehab nurse is wrong! I’ve always been informed that coloured sputum is a sign of infection. Certainly whenever mine has been colourful I have had an infection.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY.
I HAVE HAD THIS COLOUR SPUTUM FOR MANY YEARS ON AND OFF I HAVE EVEN MENTIONED IT TO MY CHEST CONS. AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A SPUTUM SAMPLE HAS BEEN REQUESTED.
THANK GOODNESS I ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION IF THE SPUTUM GETS REALLY DARK AND TAKE MY RESCUE PACK OF ANTIBIOTIC AND PREDNISOLONE
THANK YOU AGAIN
BARDEAR
White or clear although mine has never b clear,and rarely white
I have had a bad bug when my sputem was very very pale nearly clear with no other symptoms, was told sputem is not always green for infection by my consultant, I was put on co-amoxiclave for 14 days. Then tested again still not clear of bug given antibiotics for 7 more says. My rescue pack is now co-amoxiclave for 14 days. Take care and stay safe.
Good morning all yes i keep on eye on my spetrummm if it clear white colour i now i am fine / if its a green colour i no signs of chest infection to try and clear it my self benerlin for chesty coughs i have after a shower let warm water run over your back for a few mins that helps me as i have copd / cheers ghoust rider
Mine's clear when health; green, yellow or brown when infected.
We have all been told that green is a sign of infection but that doesn't apply to all of us. Mine changes colour even when i am well and it has been pure white when I have had an infection. It could be that the nurse was right but I would put a sample in just to make sure you are ok for your op x
I have a post nasal drip so sometimes what I bring up is, excuse me, snot coloured though not always. As it doesn't persist for any length of time I have never thought to mention it.
Diagnosed 3 years ago but still not been seen by a consultant but mine has always been a dark Green ish colour too. I’ve had no one to ask questions of as yet ( other than this wonderful group). After my last infection & antibiotics it was less green but it’s now back to my normal green colour . X
Best check that out ….any other symptoms , temperature for example ?
Try ringing the ALUK helpline as well as your GP .
Helpline open for UK residents during working week on
0300 222 5800
Hi thanks for your reply. What is the AL Helpline please? I havnt heard of it. No symptoms no temperature etc. I’m on Biologics which can mask symptoms so it’s hard to gauge. I had an infection in November & took Doxycycline for a week & did feel better afterwards. Maybe it hasn’t cleared up properly x
It should not be green. I always send off a sputum for culture and sensitivity - thats what you should do too
NO DOCTOR HAS EVER SUGGESTED THIS BE HE/SHE CONSULTANT, REGISTRAR OR GP. I FREEL ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND THANKYOU FOR TELLING ME ABOUT IT I WILL LOOK INTO IT AND SEE HOW FAR I GET. THANKYOU AGAIN XXXX
I once saw a paramedic at the surgery who wanted to know why I had dropped off a sputum sample before seeing her. I said, 'It's standard practice for patients with Bronchiectasis.' She said, 'Oh well, I suppose it was the right thing to do, then.' She checked me over and declared me fit and well. The sputum sample showed a pseudomonas colonisation and my consultant, when he heard about it, put me straight onto an antibiotic to get rid of it. When a GP had given me the sputum result, he said, 'Well, lots of people live with this and we don't treat it unless it's causing a problem.' (It WAS causing me a problem - that's why I'd been seen by the paramedic!)
My sputum wasn't green then, just mucky looking. If it's green, there's no argument and it's antibiotics straight away.
Unfortunately, not every medically trained person has full knowledge of respiratory conditions. I am a bit surprised that you've not submitted a sample previously. Perhaps it's because I have Bronchiectasis that my consultant always gives me three sputum pots when I see him with orders to 'get it tested' whenever I'm in doubt - regardless of the colour.
He did also say that results often come back as 'normal flora' but this doesn't mean there is no infection - just that it hasn't been identified. However, at most surgeries, the word 'normal' takes priority and they take it to mean that you are completely well!
Hope your test shows something that can be seen off with the right antibiotic. xx Moy
Honestly, not sure why we go to the doctors today. Our experience has been that they are so aloof... don't ask questions to really try to figure it out. I was starting to think that they are just this way with ppl of a certain age, but from what I hear here, maybe it's just a new way of doctoring.
HI, I was born with PCD, and have had chest issues all my life, I’m now 87. Green sputum is sign of infection, and sputum test is to ensure you take best medication or antibiotic. I’m aware that some GPs seem to be unaware of benefit of sputum test, perhaps it’s not easy for them to get it to a laboratory. My sputum has been thick green as long as I can remember, and only send sample when other indications, including feeling off colour, or raised temperature. Good luck x
THANKYOU XXXX
I have bronchiectasis and sent a sputum sample off and came back positive and the bug responded to doxycycline. Had 10 day course, sent another sample, same result. Had another 10 day course, another sample, same result, still positive. Specialist He thought lungs are colonised with H. influenza. X-ray, blood test later seemed to show infection so given 12 weeks of AZITHROMYCIN. Sent another sample… you guessed it… still positive. Waiting to see what the specialist plans now. Sputum is nearly always coloured to some extent but I’ve found lately that it is less coloured if I keep well hydrated (2 to 2.1/2 litres/day), exercise and getting rid as much sputum as possible during the day. I know I’ve an infection when I can’t be bothered with anything, no interest in hobbies and a bit short of breath n higher resting pulse rate (fitbit watch info).
Hope you get sorted asap.
Hi Bardear,
My sputum is usually white or clear when it is healthy. Any change in colour indicates an infection for me. I start taking my rescue antibiotics when the colour changes in my case it is yellow or green. The sputum also increases in thickness. I hope this helps.
mine was a yellowish colour for years ….one health professional said it was due to the fact my asthma had an allergy base .
But it’s not yellow now .
hi alll, yes mine is always murky colour at its worse green when I have bad infection. I find it hard too clear my throat , off late have a continuous rattle/crackle
Should be clear . Any other is due to pus cells being present especially if yellow to green .
In the hospital laboratory where i worked (25 years ago) the colour and texture were always recorded on receipt as Mucoid, Muco-purulent or Purulent. This info was there when the culture plates were looked at next day, and after.
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