What Causes Mucoid Sputum?

Mucus sputum is commonly seen in acute and chronic bronchitis, early stage of pneumonia, bronchial asthma, chronic pharyngitis, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to combine necessary laboratory and imaging examinations to help confirm the diagnosis. Blood routine, sputum cytology and bacterial culture, chest X-ray or chest CT can be examined in a formal hospital. Normal bronchial mucosa secretes a small amount of mucus to keep the respiratory tract moist. When inflammation occurs in the respiratory tract, the amount of mucosal secretion increases, and inflammatory exudates mix with mucus, dust, and necrotic material to form sputum. Purulent sputum refers to sputum that is thick or thin, with a color of light green or yellow-green. When mixed with blood, it appears brown and emits a foul odor. Vomiting is mainly seen in patients with lung abscess, suppurative bronchiectasis, or bronchial abscess. This kind of sputum condition is generally very serious, and you should go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible. Mucus sputum is mainly gray or transparent. This kind of sputum is mainly seen in patients with bronchitis, or in the early stage of pneumonia, generally in the stage of bronchial asthma. The blood in bloody sputum is caused by blood from different lesions. Hemoptysis is more common in tuberculosis and bronchiectasis, rusty sputum is more common in lobar pneumonia. Brownish-red sputum can be seen in amoebic lung abscess, and brownish-sticky jelly-like sputum is caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. It must be treated as soon as possible. The sputum is thin and foamy. If the foam is pale white, it is mainly seen in chronic bronchitis; if the foam is pink, it is commonly seen in pulmonary edema. If the above symptoms appear, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid delaying treatment and affecting the prognosis of the disease.