What sputum color is expected in pneumonia?

• A. Green, yellow, or rust-colored sputum
• B. Clear sputum
• C. Pink frothy sputum
• D. No sputum production

Answer: (A)

In pneumonia, the airways are filled with inflammatory cells and bacteria, producing purulent sputum that is often colored. The color change reflects the inflammatory and infectious process: green or yellow sputum comes from the presence of neutrophils and bacteria, while rust-colored sputum is classically associated with pneumococcal infection due to blood-tinged material.

Pink frothy sputum points more to pulmonary edema, not infection. Clear sputum suggests a viral infection or a noninfectious cause, and little to no sputum indicates a non-productive cough. So colored sputum—green, yellow, or rust—is what you’d expect with pneumonia.