Sputum Colour

• Saliva:

  • clear
  • watery fluid
• Mucoid:

  • White, greyish
  • Chronic bronchitis without infection, asthma
• Frothy:

  • Pink or white
  • Pulmonary oedema
• Mucopurulent

  • Slightly discoloured, but not frank pus
  • Bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis (CF)
• Purulent

  • Yellow/dark green/brown
  • Rusty
  • Infective exacerbation of bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis
  • Rusty – typical of pneumonia
• Black

  • Black specs in mucoid secretions
  • Smoke inhalation (fires, tobacco, heroin), coal dust, aspergillus