What Is Sputum?
Sputum is a mucus-like material that is found in the lungs, and which can usually be coughed up and spit out. While no specific color key exists to diagnose an illness based on sputum color, if it is anything other than clear or white, a viral or bacterial lung infection or lung inflammation is possible. When illness is suspected in the bronchial tubes or lungs, a doctor may request a sputum test or sample to identify what is causing the infection. This is because bacteria or viruses that cause a variety of lung infections will reside in the sputum of the infected person.
