Description
Why is the Test Done?
• To diagnose active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)
• To monitor treatment effectiveness in TB patients
• To evaluate persistent cough, chest pain, fever, weight loss, or night sweats
• For public health screening in high-risk populations or contacts of TB patients
Test Procedure & Sample Collection:
• Three sputum samples are usually collected: early morning on 3 consecutive days
• You will be asked to cough deeply to produce mucus from your lungs
• The sample is stained and examined under a microscope for acid-fast bacilli
• No special preparation is needed, but collecting the sample in the morning yields better results
