What Causes Rust Colored Sputum in Pneumonia?

Streptococcus pneumoniae: Rust-colored sputum.

What causes rust colored sputum?

Rust colored – usually caused by pneumococcal bacteria (in pneumonia), pulmonary embolism, lung cancer or pulmonary tuberculosis. Brownish – chronic bronchitis (greenish/yellowish/brown); chronic pneumonia (whitish-brown); tuberculosis; lung cancer.

Why does pneumonia cause rusty sputum?

Scanty, watery sputum is often noted in atypical pneumonia; “rusty” sputum is seen in pneumococcal pneumonia; and currant-jelly or dark-red sputum suggests Klebsiella pneumoniae. Foul-smelling sputum is associated with anaerobic infections due to aspiration, lung abscess, and necrotizing pneumonia.