Know What Phlegm Culture Is

Phlegm culture (sputum) is a phlegm examination to detect the presence of bacteria that causes respiratory tract infections, especially lung infections (pneumonia). Phlegm is a liquid produced by the respiratory tract, and is expelled from the respiratory tract when coughing. Besides bacteria, examination of sputum cultures can also detect fungal infections.

Know What Phlegm Culture Is

Indication of Phlegm Culture

Sputum can be done to patients who have pneumonia, lung abscess, or tuberculosis, with symptoms including:

  • Cough
  • Fever and shivering
  • Muscle pain
  • Lemas
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Sputum cultures can be done after the patient has undergone chest X-ray examination, to find out the microbes that cause infection. In addition, sputum culture can also be carried out to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment underway.

Phlegm Culture Warning

Sputum removal process for culture, is safe for patients. However, if sputum is difficult to get out it will be taken through the act of binocular breathing (bronchoscopy). This action causes discomfort during the action and the throat feels dry after the action.

Consult your doctor if you are taking antibiotics, corticosteroids, or painkillers, before undergoing sputum culture examination. The doctor will ask to stop using the medication if needed.

Phlegm Culture Preparation

Patients are encouraged to drink plenty of water at night before sputum sampling , so that the patient more easily expels phlegm in the morning. Patients are also asked not to eat anything about 1-2 hours before taking. Patients will be asked to brush their teeth and mouthwash using water or sterile solution, not with mouthwash ().

Procedure and Interpretation of Phlegm Culture Results

Taking phlegm samples will be carried out in the laboratory in the morning before drinking and breakfast. The doctor will then teach the patient to take a deep breath and cough to expel phlegm, so that the patient is not mistaken and instead spit saliva, not phlegm. If the patient has difficulty removing phlegm, the patient will be given steam therapy (nebulizer ) first to thin the phlegm, making it easy to remove. The phlegm that comes out is then collected in sterile containers for examination.

Certain patients can undergo sputum sampling using the binocular respiratory method (bronchoscopy) . Initially, the patient will be given sedatives and drugs to reduce pain during the procedure. Then the pulmonary doctor will insert a camera hose by mouth and into the respiratory tract. The visible phlegm will be aspirated through a bronchoscopic tube. In patients who use the breathing tube, phlegm will be suctioned with a special device through the breathing hose.

After Sputum Culture

A laboratory examination takes 2 days to see bacterial growth and 1 week to see mushrooms. Once the cause of the infection is known, the doctor will provide an antibiotic or antifungal medication that is effective in treating it. To see the effectiveness of the drug, the doctor can carry out antibiotic or antifungal susceptibility tests (resistance) after the results of the sputum culture are positive. The results of the resistance test will be used by the doctor to determine the appropriate treatment for the patient.

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