Tips for sputum sample

[WindsweptRissa]

Hi. Apologies in advance for a post in the too much information category.

Can anyone give me some tips on getting a good sputum sample. I have a wet cough most days but don’t always get it up all the way and end up swallowing most. Usually when I’m doing a sputum sample it’s because I think I have an active infection. It’s usually fairly easy to get a sample then as I’m producing a lot more. However my gp has referred me back to the respiratory clinic and they have requested that I give a series of 3 samples. Now last week I was having a small flare up and I probably would have managed fine but typically the last few days I’ve been ok and only got tiny amounts up and out as it were. Any tips for getting a good sample would be appreciated. Unless I’m ill I don’t usually start getting the wet cough until I’ve been moving around for a while.

[Spacecat1]

I'm having the same problem but someone reccomended warm boiled water which I have just started. So fingers crossed it's so annoying trying g to get phlegm up. I dont usually cough a d am fit as a fiddle. Will keep trying.. good luck

[crashdoll]

Aim for a time of day when you tend to be mucusy. For me, it’s the morning.

Try some airway clearance techniques a few times, especially lots of huffing. I have a big drink of water first and make sure my month is as clean as possible to avoid contamination. I gargle with warm salt water too. Not sure if it’s necessary but I’ve had a few sputum samples showing oral yeast, so I do it anyway.

[WindsweptRissa in reply to crashdoll]

Thanks, I’m trying to make sure I drink more water over the next few days (the nurse is going to bring some sputum pots with her when she comes on Monday to do the requested bloods). I don’t know any airway clearance techniques though. I don’t suppose you (or anyone else) know of any links to any good ones.

[crashdoll in reply to WindsweptRissa]

acprc.org.uk/Data/Publicati...

This is what I do. I find it helpful for shifting stubborn blobs of mucus.

Best of luck.

[WindsweptRissa in reply to crashdoll]

Thanks