Sputum or phlegm is pus like substance that is expelled from your throat. Sputum comes out when you have cough or allergic cold or respiratory tract infection. The color of the sputum is indicative of the disease and your doctor would often ask for it during diagnosis. The color of the sputum gains importance during laboratory test of sputum culture. Your doctor will complete the physical examination and collect complete medical history before making any decision. While giving the sputum sample in the lab, it is wise to take the first sputum in the morning which can give a clear picture. Sputum color may change depending on the foods and drinks you take during the course of the day.
- Sputum (Phlegm) Colors :
Sputum not only contains mucus but also cellular debris, micro-organisms and other immune cells. Some people may find traces of blood in the sputum. It may contain dust and other toxic substances in the body. Sputum is of various colors like white, grey, clear, green, yellow, red, brown, pink, black and rust colored. Let us discuss about every color of the sputum and its significance.
Clear or White Sputum :
It is quite normal to get clear sputum once in a while, but if you are getting white sputum in excess it can be indicative of some internal disorders. Some of the conditions like chronic bronchitis, asthma and pulmonary edema can produce clear or white sputum. The sputum color can be clear to whitish if you have moderate respiratory tract infection. People with chronic asthma can get thick whitish (cottage cheese like) sputum. The color of the sputum would be clear white or grey for those with chronic bronchitis. Medical condition like pulmonary edema can cause clear white but frothy sputum. Other conditions like allergic cold, postnasal drip and GERD can produce white or clear sputum.