Sputum is the thick fluid containing both saliva and mucous that is released by lungs at times of infection and spread to the airways. Sputum culture test examines this sputum under laboratory conditions to determine bacterial or fungal infections. The test may even be opted to study how well the body is responding to specific treatment methods and which antibiotics need to be administered.
Patients who are complaining about lung diseases that cause vigorous coughing, breathing problems due to blockage of airways due to sputum build up, other flu like symptoms such as fever with chills, body pain, chest tightness etc., are often ordered this sputum culture test. The test in effective at determining pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis and other lung disorders.
Sputum Culture Cost in Various Indian CitiesWe have Sputum Culture price information in 54 cities.
| City | Average Price | Starting Price | Price Upto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agra | Rs. 368.00 | Rs. 200.00 | Rs. 750.00 |
| Ahmedabad | Rs. 465.00 | Rs. 250.00 | Rs. 700.00 |
| Bangalore | Rs. 609.00 | Rs. 360.00 | Rs. 850.00 |
| Bareilly | Rs. 660.00 | Rs. 400.00 | Rs. 950.00 |
| Belgaum | Rs. 241.00 | Rs. 150.00 | Rs. 350.00 |
| Bhubaneswar | Rs. 619.00 | Rs. 250.00 | Rs. 1000.00 |
| Chandigarh | Rs. 528.00 | Rs. 150.00 | Rs. 900.00 |
| Chennai | Rs. 419.00 | Rs. 200.00 | Rs. 750.00 |
| Coimbatore | Rs. 595.00 | Rs. 350.00 | Rs. 800.00 |
| Cuttack | Rs. 247.00 | Rs. 120.00 | Rs. 450.00 |
| Ernakulam | Rs. 244.00 | Rs. 170.00 | Rs. 350.00 |
| Faridabad | Rs. 680.00 | Rs. 400.00 | Rs. 950.00 |
| Ghaziabad | Rs. 625.00 | Rs. 300.00 | Rs. 1000.00 |
| Gorakhpur | Rs. 685.00 | Rs. 400.00 | Rs. 900.00 |
| Gurgaon | Rs. 383.00 | Rs. 250.00 | Rs. 750.00 |
| Gwalior | Rs. 407.00 | Rs. 150.00 | Rs. 750.00 |
| Hyderabad | Rs. 509.00 | Rs. 280.00 | Rs. 1000.00 |
| Jodhpur | Rs. 445.00 | Rs. 200.00 | Rs. 750.00 |
| Kanpur | Rs. 760.00 | Rs. 300.00 | Rs. 1200.00 |
| Kochi | Rs. 254.00 | Rs. 150.00 | Rs. 450.00 |
| Kolkata | Rs. 768.00 | Rs. 300.00 | Rs. 2520.00 |
| Lucknow | Rs. 497.00 | Rs. 300.00 | Rs. 700.00 |
| Madurai | Rs. 660.00 | Rs. 350.00 | Rs. 900.00 |
| Mangalore | Rs. 668.00 | Rs. 500.00 | Rs. 850.00 |
| Meerut | Rs. 736.00 | Rs. 500.00 | Rs. 900.00 |
| Mohali | Rs. 283.00 | Rs. 150.00 | Rs. 400.00 |
| Moradabad | Rs. 660.00 | Rs. 400.00 | Rs. 800.00 |
| Mumbai | Rs. 939.00 | Rs. 600.00 | Rs. 1500.00 |
| Mysore | Rs. 745.00 | Rs. 600.00 | Rs. 900.00 |
| Delhi | Rs. 519.00 | Rs. 350.00 | Rs. 750.00 |
| Noida | Rs. 560.00 | Rs. 350.00 | Rs. 800.00 |
| Panjim | Rs. 561.00 | Rs. 500.00 | Rs. 650.00 |
| Patna | Rs. 739.00 | Rs. 500.00 | Rs. 1100.00 |
| Pune | Rs. 668.00 | Rs. 200.00 | Rs. 1800.00 |
| Raipur | Rs. 617.00 | Rs. 500.00 | Rs. 750.00 |
| Ranchi | Rs. 725.00 | Rs. 525.00 | Rs. 1000.00 |
| Secunderabad | Rs. 438.00 | Rs. 250.00 | Rs. 850.00 |
| Siliguri | Rs. 652.00 | Rs. 500.00 | Rs. 800.00 |
| Tirupati | Rs. 276.00 | Rs. 200.00 | Rs. 520.00 |
| Udaipur | Rs. 690.00 | Rs. 450.00 | Rs. 900.00 |
Undergoing this test is a simple laboratory procedure. It involves collection of a considerable amount of sputum in a clean container. This container is mostly provided to you by your laboratory technician or doctor.
Prior to procedure, wash your mouth; however, do not use any mouth wash before collecting the sample. You need to take a deep breath and then cough out the sputum. Efforts must be taken to gather sputum from deep within the lungs. Once the sample is collected, take it to the nearest diagnostic center for further processes. Refrigeration of the sample may be allowed and you will be needed to discuss this with your doctor.
Sputum Cultures usually take at least 2 days to come up with results. However, you may be needed to wait for several weeks before your doctor comes up with a verdict.
Sputum culture test requires no special preparation or guidelines to be followed. However, if you are collecting the sample on your own, make sure that you gather a considerable amount of the sample. Small amounts may not be useful for culture purposes. Besides, taking the sample immediately to a lab is suggested as this reduces chances of contamination.
