What is it?

Even though we say, ‘spit test’, we are not trying to get spit. Really, we want phlegm/mucus from deeper in the lungs.

A person is asked to cough and spit their phlegm/mucus from the lungs into a cup.

They might be asked to do this only once but usually it is 3 or 4 times.

• These extra cups are used to make a more precise measure of the TB germs in the body.

Spit Test Steps

1. The test will happen in the ventilation room (a room with the machine that helps clean the air) or sometimes outside.

2. The person will be asked to breathe in a mist (salty water) that will make them cough hard.

3. The person will collect the phlegm/mucus in a container and the nurse will send the container off for testing.

A person can’t eat or drink anything but water one hour before their spit test.

• The spit test is one of the most important ways to tell if someone has Active TB in the lungs.

• In people being screened for Active TB, who have symptoms, or an X-ray that suggests Active TB, sputum tests are:

  • How we know for sure that they have Active TB in the lungs.

  • One way to tell how much TB is in the lungs.

  • One way to tell how contagious a person is.

• In people who are already taking TB treatment, sputum tests:

  • Help us make sure the antibiotics are working (meaning helping the person heal and get rid of the TB in their bodies).

  • Help us know when a person is not contagious anymore.

Example conversation with someone who is being asked to do a spit test:

Reassure

• So, the TB nurse would like you to do a spit test. We want you to do a spit test because your X-ray showed maybe there is TB in your lungs and the spit test is the best way to confirm it and give us more information.

• This can sound a little scary but it’s really best to have all the information before we make any decisions.

What/Why

• Do you remember if you’ve done this before?

• Before I explain more, I wanted to ask - have you eaten anything in the last hour?

• You will do the spit test in the ventilation room. “Spit” is kind of a bad word for the test because we are really looking to get the liquid from deeper in the lungs.

• I’m going to start up this machine that will make a kind of mist that will make you feel like you need to cough.

Steps

• I won’t be in the room for that part but you’ll cough up the spit into this container. Once you fill it to this line, you can stop.

• I’ll come and check on you in a few minutes but if you finish early you can close the container, leave it in the ventilation room and come and tell me or the TB nurse.

• The TB nurses would like you to do a total of 4 spit tests, one right now and do you think can you come back later this afternoon to do another?