About Sputum
Key Highlights
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Non-invasive and generally painless procedure.Provides critical information for diagnosing respiratory infections and diseases.Helps identify specific bacteria or fungi to guide targeted antibiotic or antifungal therapy.Can aid in the early detection of abnormal cells, potentially indicating lung cancer.Essential for confirming diagnoses like tuberculosis (TB).Simple, quick to perform, and cost-effective./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks.
- Production of colored (yellow, green, rust-colored) or foul-smelling sputum.
- Suspected lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia or bronchitis.
- To confirm or rule out active tuberculosis (TB).
- Unexplained fever with respiratory symptoms.
- Suspicion of a lung abscess or fungal infection.
- Monitoring of known chronic lung conditions like bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis.
- Investigation for possible lung cancer, especially if coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
How to prepare
- Drink plenty of water the night before and morning of the test to help loosen secretions.
- Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water (not antiseptic mouthwash) before sample collection to reduce oral contamination.
- Avoid eating or drinking (except water) for 1-2 hours before the procedure to prevent sample dilution.
- Your pulmonologist may ask you to take a few deep breaths and cough deeply from your chest to produce a good sample.
- A sterile container will be provided for collection.
Risks & possible complications
- There are minimal physical risks as it is a non-invasive collection of expelled mucus.
- Potential for an inadequate sample if the cough is not deep enough, requiring a repeat procedure.
- Minor throat irritation from repeated coughing.
- Rarely, a more invasive procedure like bronchoscopy may be needed if an adequate sputum sample cannot be obtained.
Recovery & hospital stay
- There is typically no recovery time needed; you can resume normal activities immediately.
- Drink warm fluids to soothe the throat if coughing caused irritation.
- Results are usually available within 24-72 hours for routine culture, though TB cultures can take several weeks.
- Follow up with your pulmonologist to discuss the results and any necessary treatment plan.
- Complete the full course of any prescribed medications based on the test findings.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering sputum in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for sputum in India include Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Manipal Hospital Varthur Road, Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform sputum. MediFyr helps you compare pulmonologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for sputum compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Sputum in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated pulmonology teams and experience managing patients undergoing sputum.
Anjali Joshi, a 58-year-old retired school...
Anjali Joshi, a 58-year-old retired school teacher and avid gardener, had been battling a persistent, wet cough for over six weeks. The cough was accompanied by fatigue and occasional low-grade fevers. As a former smoker who quit 15 years ago, she was worried about lung cancer. Her primary care physician, noting the prolonged symptoms and her history, referred her to a pulmonologist, Dr. Sharma. Dr. Sharma, concerned about a possible chronic infection or other pulmonary issue, recommended a sputum test to analyze the mucus from her lungs for bacteria, fungi, or abnormal cells. Anjali found the procedure undignified and frustrating, struggling to produce a deep enough cough sample in the clinic. She felt anxious and vulnerable. The lab results identified a nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection, not cancer. Relieved by the diagnosis but daunted by the long-term treatment, Anjali started a tailored antibiotic regimen. Over the following months, her cough gradually subsided and her energy returned. Emotionally, she moved from a state of high anxiety about a terminal illness to relief, followed by determined resilience as she managed her chronic condition, allowing her to return to her beloved garden with renewed appreciation.
Pulmonologists for Sputum
Explore experienced pulmonologists who regularly perform sputum and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 23 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 24 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 20 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 35 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 33 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
- 33 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 29 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
- 26 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 7 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 6 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 4 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada