Saliva is a clear watery fluid seen in healthy individuals. Mucoid sputum is opalescent or white and seen in conditions like chronic bronchitis without infection or asthma. Purulent sputum is thick, viscous, and yellow or green/brown indicating infections like pneumonia, pseudomonas, or pneumococcus. Characteristics of sputum provide clues to underlying respiratory conditions.

3. INTRODUCTION

5. Description Causes
SALIVA Clear watery fluid
MUCOID Opalescent or white Chronic bronchitis without infection. asthma
MUCOPURULENT Slightly discoloured , but not
frank pus
Bronchoiectasis , cystic fibrosis, pneumonia
PURULENT Thick , viscous
yellow haemophilus
Dark green/ brown pseudomonas
rusty Pneumococcus, mycoplasma
Redcurrent jelly klebsiella
FROTHY Pink or white Pulmonary oedema
HAEMOPTYSIS Ranging from blood specks to
frank blood, old blood
Infection{ TB, bronchiectasis}infarction,
carcinoma,vasculitis,trauma,cardiac diseases
BLACK Black specks in mucoid
secretions
Smoke inhalation, coal dust
SPUTUM ANALYSIS