Procedure for sampling
The evening before:
- Brush your teeth well.
- Have the sample glass and a glass of water available by the bed, for example on the bedside table.
Godkjent dato: 7/29/2025
Ansvarlig foretak:
Akershus universitetssykehus
Examination, Sputum sample- for tuberculosis
Cough test
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium, it´s normally transmitted through the air. Usually by sick people coughing and droplets of bacteria being inhaled (by healthy people). It is estimated that a quarter of the world’s population is infected, but only a few of those who are infected become ill. Tuberculosis is a treatable disease and most people recover completely.
A sample of mucus from your lungs can tell if you have tuberculosis bacteria in your lungs. Some people take this test to find out if they have tuberculosis, while others take the test as part of their tuberculosis check- ups.
The tuberculosis bacteria can lie dormant in some people (latent tuberculosis infection). Latent tuberculosis is not contagious, but it may develop an active tuberculosis disease later in life.
Infectious disease doctor, pulmonary or pediatric doctors assess and treat tuberculosis, in close collaboration with the tuberculosis coordinator.
Questions about the sample should be directed to your doctor or the tuberculosis coordinator at the hospital.
Before taking the sample
During
The cough test is taken in the morning as soon as you wake up
- Rinse your mouth with water.
- Do not eat or drink before taking the test.
- Cough as soon as you wake up, cough deep from your chest.
- Place the test tube in front of your mouth to collect the mucus.
The mucus should be yellow and viscous, if it´s only saliva ( white and watery) comes up- try and cough even deeper into the lungs/ even deeper through the lungs
If it's difficult to cough up mucus, you can try to:
- breathe in deeply and then breathe out quickly and hard, repeat this three times
- lean against a table surface or chair with both arms
- breathe in deeply and out quickly and hard again, repeat this three times
Etter
Test tubes are delivered by appointment with a doctor or tuberculosis coordinator.
- Write the sample date, national identity number and name on the vial.
- The sample should be delivered the same day it is taken.
- Store the sample in a cool place and protect it from light until it is delivered.
- Deliver the sample to the nearest hospital, or send it by post the same day in a suitable container or envelope.
- Refer to the information you have received from the hospital about where and when to deliver the sample.
Sist faglig oppdatert 7/29/2025