Sputum test

[Gareth85]

Hi does anyone know what a result of mixed flora in a sputum culture test means

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Gareth85

No, but hasn't your doctor explained what your result means?

PS - your post has appeared twice, I will delete the other one.

[Gareth85 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No really just said most pepole have mixed flora..

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gareth85]

Do you have symptoms of infection? Mucous clear, yellow, dark???

[Gareth85]

Every few days dark phlegm with black in I gave up smoking last September

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gareth85]

I have a lung disease and prone to chest/lung infections. Whenever I have one there are specific signs (discomfort/pain in lungs) but the sputum is always dark. A culture usually identifies the bacteria but they can sometimes come back negative.

But I haven't heard of "mixed flora in sputum culture" so I have googled but not clicked on any links. I can see

"The presence of normal upper respiratory tract flora should be expected in sputum culture."

I wonder if you maybe have no actual infection and your lungs are still clearing out the "rubbish" from your smoking days hence the occasional dark phlegm with black.

[Gareth85 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I hope so .. sorry to hear about your lungs x