Sputum for D/R

Specimen Required

SPUTUM

Fasting Required

Purpose of the Test

The test is requested if your healthcare provider suspects that you have TB or if you are at a high risk of contracting the disease. Symptoms of TB include coughing for more than three weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, and fever. The test is also done to check if the TB treatment is working in people who have already been diagnosed with the disease.

When this test is required

What the Test Detects

The sputum for D/R (Direct Smear and Culture for Tuberculosis) test is used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) by detecting the presence of the bacteria responsible for the disease (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) in a sputum sample.

Preparation for the Test

To prepare for the test, you should avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 1-2 hours before the sample collection to ensure that your mouth is not contaminated with food particles. You may be asked to rinse your mouth with water before collecting the sputum sample. Your healthcare provider will provide you with instructions on how to collect the sample properly.

Sample Requirements

The test requires a sputum sample, which is a mixture of saliva and mucus from the lungs. To collect the sample, you will be asked to cough deeply and spit the phlegm into a sterile container.

Additional Notes

It’s important to provide a good quality sputum sample for accurate results. Your healthcare provider will instruct you on how to collect the sample properly. In some cases, multiple samples may be required over several days to increase the chances of detecting the bacteria. TB is a contagious disease, and you should take precautions to prevent its spread to others until your healthcare provider confirms that you are no longer infectious. Treatment for TB typically involves taking a combination of antibiotics for several months, and it’s essential to complete the full course of treatment to prevent the development of drug-resistant TB.

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