SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF SPUTUM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page – – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – – iv
Table of contents – – – – – – – – v-vi
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction – – – – – – – – 1-2
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Overview of sputum – – – – – – 3
2.1 Description of sputum – – – – – – 4-5
2.2 Source of sputum – – – – – – – 5-6
2.3 Function of sputum – – – – – – 6
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Symptom and causes of sputum – – – – – 7
3.1 Symptom of sputum – – – – – – 7-9
3.2 Causes of sputum – – – – – – – 9-13
3.3 Sputum Examination – – – – – – 13-17
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Summary and Conclusion – – – – – 18
4.1 Summary – – – – – – – – 18
4.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – 18-19
References
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
Sputum is mucus that is coughed up from the lower air ways (the trachea and bronchi). In medicine, sputum samples are usually used for naked eye exam, microbiological investigation of respiratory infections and cytological investigations of respiratory systems (HU S, et al., Dec 2006). It is crucial that the specimen not include any mucoid material from the nose. Naked eye exam of sputum can be done at home by a patient in order to note the various colors. Any hint of yellow or green color (PUS) suggests an airway infection (but does not indicate the type of organism causing it). Such color hints are best detected when the sputum is viewed on a very white background such as white paper, a white pot or a white sink surface. The more intense the yellow color, the more likely it is a bacterial infection (bronchitis, bronchopneumonia or pneumonia). (Hickling et al.,1988)
Sputum or phlegm is the mucousy substance secreted by cells in the lower airways (bronchi and bronchioles) of the respiratory tract. It differs from saliva, which is produced higher up, in the mouth. Sputum can be any color including clear, white, yellow, green, pink or red and blood tinged with different medical conditions. (Merriam Webster sputum 2021). In addition to containing dead cells, foreign debris that is inhaled into the lung, and at times, bacteria, sputum contains white blood cells and other immune cells that protect the airway from infections.
