Sputum analysis involves several steps to identify pathogens and determine appropriate treatments:
Microscopic Examination: Identifies the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or fungi. Gram Staining: Helps categorize bacteria into Gram-positive or Gram-negative, guiding antibiotic choice. Culturing: Growing the sputum sample on culture media to identify specific pathogens. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Detects genetic material from pathogens, useful for viral infections.
