Collection of Urine or
Sputum for AFB

Urine:

• 3 x 200ml White-top Containers

Sputum:

• 3 x 70ml Yellow-top Containers

Available from any Clinical Labs collection centre

URINE

• 3 complete, early morning (first passed) urine specimens are to be collected on 3 consecutive days. A 200ml sterile container is provided for each collection.
• Screw the lid firmly onto the container to avoid spillage.
• Write your surname, first given name, date of birth and the date/time of collection on the containers label.
• Refrigerate all specimens and deliver all 3 specimens samples to a Clinical Labs collection centre as soon as possible.

SPUTUM

Sputum is a fluid from the lungs that often contains pus and could be of a thick consistency.

• 3 early morning sputum samples are to be collected on each of 3 consecutive days into 70ml sterile, yellow-top containers.
• Remove any dentures, gargle with water and rinse your mouth.
• Cough deeply to produce a specimen of sputum into the container provided.
• Ensure specimen is sputum, not saliva. Saliva only is not acceptable. Saliva is a clear fluid from the mouth.
• Early morning specimens are preferred to avoid food contamination, but are not essential.
• Screw the lid firmly onto the container to avoid spillage.
• Write your surname, first given name, date of birth and the date/time of collection on the container’s label.
• Refrigerate all specimens and deliver all 3 samples to a Clinical Labs collection centre as soon as possible.

Download Instructions

Note: The collection staff are required to check your details (surname, first given name, date of birth and date and time of collection on the container label) against the pathology request form to ensure the sample is matched to the doctor’s request. This is done to ensure the safety and security of reporting your test results.