ask about it, regardless of cough
quantity - teaspoons,, tablespoons, 1/2 cup
clear, thin sputum - early or mild tracheobroncial inflammation
yellow/green - results from myeloperoxidase action during cellular breakdown of WBCs during infection
green - can also be from eosinophils in asthma (non-infectious)
brownish or grayish - tar and nicotine from cigarettes, especially after quitting
thick, sticky sputum - from cystic fibrosis
thin, frothy, pinkish sputum - pulmonary edema
bad-tasting sputum - anaerobic infection
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