Common "Sputum Microscopy" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Sputum Microscopy

Sputum microscopy is referred to as the microscopic examination of the sputum. It is one of the efficient ways used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). First, the sputum is collected and cultured before doing the microscopic examination. Then, the expectorated sputum is stained for AFB (acid-fast bacillus) using ziehl-nelson staining, kinyoun, and fluorochrome stains.

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What is the problem for having cough with white sputum?

Query: Hi doctor,I am a healthy person. I have a cough with white sputum production. I do not have a fever. I have done sputum culture. The result showed the presence of Pseudomonas. Do I need an antibiotic?  Read Full »


Dr. Mashfika N Alam

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If there is a presence of Pseudomonas, then there can be an infection. Since you have a productive cough, you may need to take antibiotics. Please repeat the sputum culture if possible. Also, get a chest X-ray and full blood count done. It could help you to identify the...  Read Full »

How to treat fever and cough coming along with green sputum?

Query: Hello doctor, I have pain all over my body. Last night, I had chills with chest congestion and green sputum. The physician gave me Avelox and Medrol dose packs. Would that be fine?  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your doctor has given you the medicines of my choice. I would prefer to add an anti-allergic like Levocetirizine once daily for five days and, for fever, I suggest Paracetamol. I am sure your fever will go away in three to five days. But, your cough may take time. ...  Read Full »

I am coughing from the past 14 days, do I need a chest x-ray?

Query: Hello doctor, I have had a persistent cough for 14 days. I feel something like phlegm, but I cannot spit it out. I feel shortness of breath also. The doctor has diagnosed bronchitis, but I want to be sure about it. My doctor told me that there is no need for taking an x-ray, do you think the same? ...  Read Full »


Dr. Mohammad Aamir

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, most likely, you have bronchitis. But it would help if you did sputum microscopy. Please answer the following: 1) What is your age? 2) Do you smoke? If yes, how many packs a day and since when are you smoking? 3) Is the cough more at night and wakes you...  Read Full »

Does coughing up sputum with silver specks indicate bacterial respiratory infection?

Query: Hi doctor, I am coughing up sputum with silver specks. I have been feeling unwell, and lab results show bacteria. My doctor says it is nothing to worry about. I cough up thick sputum with silver in it. It drys really hard like plastic. It is coming up from my lungs. I am attaching my reports. I am ...  Read Full »


Dr. Sugreev Singh

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your reports show that you have a bacterial infection (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). Do not worry. It can be treated with antibiotics. There are both types of infection in your sputum, gram-positive and negative, which is common. But moreover, ...  Read Full »

How to treat my cough that persists in spite of antibiotics?

Query: Hello doctor, I have been suffering from a cough since 15 days. There is phlegm as well. I tried using so many syrups, antibiotics and Levocetirizine with Montelukast. The X-ray and CBP (complete blood picture) are normal. But, the cough is still persisting and troubling me. What do you suggest?  Read Full »


Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your post. You have a cough from two weeks along with expectoration. You have taken antibiotics and antiallergic medicines, but you have not mentioned the name of the antibiotic which you have taken. I would suggest a few things: Any person wit...  Read Full »

Please suggest treatment for chronic sputum production.

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 25 year old male. It is about 4 years that I am experiencing chronic sputum production which I feel is originated from my nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal region. It does not pain or itch and the quantity too is less. In the first year of its development it was mostly white in color...  Read Full »


Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. This is post nasal drip. It has a multitude reasons for its evolution and for disturbing all over this long period. Nasal septal defects like deviated nasal septum (DNS), stones in nose and polyps in nose are some of the reasons. Long-standing Inflammation of sinus mu...  Read Full »

My wife has had a chronic cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. What should be done?

Query: Hello doctor, My wife has had a chronic cough. It used to happen early last year and just started back this year. After she climaxes, she begins to cough uncontrollably and gets shortness of breath. She coughs up a thick fatty substance mixed with pinkish fluid. As the substance sits, it begins to s...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Due to excess excitement, mild cough can be present. But she has dyspnea and cough with expectoration; hence the cause needs to be evaluated. The following workup needs to be done to rule out any underlying respiratory or cardiac causes. Auscultation. Spirometry....  Read Full »

What could be done for cough and running nose for my five-year-old son?

Query: Hello doctor, My son is 5 years old. Since yesterday, he has a cough and running nose. Yesterday, I gave him Zyrcold syrup.  Read Full »


Dr. Chandra Prakash Tanwar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your son is suffering from a cough and running nose from one day. I would like some more information: Is this associated with shortness of breath? Is this associated with whistling sounds? What is the color of the sputum? Does he have a fever or labored breathing? Do...  Read Full »

Why is a sputum culture test taken?

Query: Hi doctor, I have been feeling unwell for months, coughing up thick white grey sputum with glue-like stick bubbles. My sputum lab results say I have many gram-positive cocci, few gram-negative rods, rare gram-negative cocci. I do not know what these results mean. Please guide me.  Read Full »


Dr. Basuki Nath Bhagat

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Can you please send the microbiology lab report of sputum to guide you better? Thanks.  Read Full »

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