Purulent Sputum

Aka: Purulent Sputum

II. Pathophysiology

  1. Yellow, green or dirty gray Sputum Color
  2. Color is related to Leukocyte released peroxidase
  3. Color alone does not distinguish Bacterial Infection

III. Causes: Small amounts of Purulent Sputum

  1. Upper respiratory source
    1. Acute Sinusitis
    2. Allergic Rhinitis
    3. Acute Bronchitis
  2. Lung source
    1. Pneumonia (resolving)
    2. Tuberculosis
    3. Lung Abscess

IV. Causes: Large amounts of Purulent Sputum

  1. Lung Abscess (less Sputum than other causes below)
  2. Bronchiectasis (200-500 ml/day Sputum)
  3. Bronchopleural Fistula (Copious amounts of Sputum)

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Purulent Sputum." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies

Ontology: Purulent sputum (C0241235)

Concepts Sign or Symptom (T184)
SnomedCT 42192008
Italian Espettorato purulento
English Sputum Purulent, Expectoration of purulent sputum, Sputum purulent, Purulent sputum, Purulent sputum (finding)
Japanese 膿性痰, ﾉｳｾｲﾀﾝ
Czech Hnisavé sputum
Hungarian purulens köpet
Spanish esputo purulento (hallazgo), esputo purulento, expectoración de esputo purulento (hallazgo), expectoración de esputo purulento, Esputo purulento
Portuguese Expectoração purulenta
Dutch sputum purulent
French Crachat purulent
German Sputum eitrig
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

2021 Family Practice Notebook, LLC. Terms | Privacy (EHS) | About | Site Map | Blog

Footer Site Logo