Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Suggest Frequency Of Sputum Tests

May a sputum test be still valuable after cough has abated? Where patient has been taking prednisone 3O Corticosteroid ) 1 tablet each day for a week, will a sputum test still be worthwhile after ? If yes, how many days should sputum test be after last taking? Thanks.
Teresita D. Flores
Mon, 9 Nov 2015
Report Abuse
Infectious Diseases Specialist 's  Response
You have not mentioned if the sputum test was done for tuberculosis, in which case, you can still do a sputum test and check for acid fast bacilli.

In case of a routine bacterial culture, it cannot be told for sure that the culture will definitely yield the pathogen. You might want to give the sputum sample after the course of prednisolone has ended, preferably.
I find this answer helpful

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Pneumonia


Loading Online Doctors....
Suggest Frequency Of Sputum Tests

You have not mentioned if the sputum test was done for tuberculosis, in which case, you can still do a sputum test and check for acid fast bacilli. In case of a routine bacterial culture, it cannot be told for sure that the culture will definitely yield the pathogen. You might want to give the sputum sample after the course of prednisolone has ended, preferably.