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Mucopurulent discharge is the emission or secretion of fluid containing mucus and pus (muco-pertaining to mucus and purulent pertaining to pus) from the eye, nose, cervix, vagina or other part of the body due to infection and inflammation. Types include:
Purulent sputum [5] contains pus, composed of white blood cells, cellular debris, dead tissue, serous fluid, and viscous liquid . Purulent sputum is typically yellow or green. It is seen in cases of pneumonia, bronchiectasis, lung abscess, or an advanced stage of bronchitis. [6]
Frequently medical sources do not differentiate between the two types of discharge, instead using the general term mucopurulent discharge, which, strictly speaking, should only be used to refer to a discharge that contains both mucus and pus. Purulent discharges may be blood-streaked.
Purulent or suppurative exudate consists of plasma with both active and dead neutrophils, fibrinogen, and necrotic parenchymal cells. This kind of exudate is consistent with more severe infections, and is commonly referred to as pus. Fibrinous exudate is composed mainly of fibrinogen and fibrin.
The discharge is usually more watery (mucopurulent) and less inflamed. Babies infected with chlamydia may develop pneumonitis (chest infection) at a later stage (range 2–19 weeks after delivery). Infants with chlamydia pneumonitis should be treated with oral erythromycin for 10–14 days.
The history may begin with feelings of obstructed nasal breathing or "stuffy nose" with or without nasal discharge. [10] If allergic rhinitis is suspected, a family history of allergic conditions as well as a personal history of other associated conditions such as food allergy, asthma , and atopic dermatitis can be evaluated. [ 10 ]
Mucopurulent cervical discharge seen on a cotton bud Micrograph of salpingitis – a component of pelvic inflammatory disease. H&E stain. Upon a pelvic examination, cervical motion, uterine, or adnexal tenderness will be experienced. [5] Mucopurulent cervicitis and or urethritis may be observed.
This exam includes a speculum exam with visual inspection of the cervix for abnormal discharge, which is usually purulent or bleeding from the cervix with little provocation. [4] Swabs can be used to collect a sample of this discharge for inspection under a microscope and/or lab testing for gonorrhea , chlamydia , and Trichomonas vaginalis .