This is just the preliminary results of staining and viewing slides of the specimens. If there were enough epithelial cells to indicate all or most of the samples were saliva instead of mucus, the clinic would have called for another specimen.

The rest of the results say there is bacteria in the specimen, but the exact type must be determined by placing the specimen on a petri dish coated with growing medium and incubating it for 6-8 weeks. They examine it and see exactly what bacteria is in your lungs, how concentrated it is, and which antibiotics it is susceptible to. Finally, the docs take this info, your lung images and your overall symptoms and health into consideration and recommend a treatment plan.

It is typical to feel anxious while you wait for answers, but so far no one has figured out a quicker way to do this accurately.

What were you told at NJH?
Sue