Coughing up blood in phlegm

[Cristina1992]

Sorry its a bit gross! But last year I had a bad chest infection where I was very ill and it lasted for months. I was coughing up blood in green phlegm and totally wiped out. This resulted in 6 lots of antibiotics, chest xray, CT scans etc and I was told I had recurrent bronchitis. Has anyone else experienced coughing up blood streaked phlegm? It's started again recently and I'm concerned it maybe the start of another chest infection... thank you 😊

[Hidden]

Hi, I often get this without any chest infection or heavy coughing. I find sputum just breaks off in my lungs and there is often blood streaks. My general practice is aware. No antibiotics have lessened this for me. I have read this can naturally occur without issue for some with more chronic or severe Asthma. I have had this for many years and the condition has not worsened.

I keep a check on things and go by that.

Best wishes

[Cristina1992 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much its very reassuring to read your similar experience and to know that it didn't get worse. Take care.

[LDloveslattecoffe]

I was ill for 3 months from Dec 2018 with an infection where I was bringing up blood in phlegm. Had investigations Scan and check ENT and all clear but said if continues would do a bronchospy. I am still bringing phlegm up and GP referred me back - had x-ray/bloods/sputum test and awaiting another scan. If that still comes back clear they have said they will do a bronchoscopy.

[Cristina1992 in reply to LDloveslattecoffe]

Hey thank you for your reply. I'm just wondering how you're doing now and if the blood in your phlegm has continued? Take care.

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to Cristina1992]

Hi had bronchoscopy, no reason found, so all investigations fond no reason so think it's just something linked to asthma/hay-fever and infections as its worse winter and spring and minimal rest of the year when mucous production is more.

[Usa2elsewhere]

Everyone, be sure the blood is from your chest and not from a recent nosebleed. If it is from a nosebleed the blood in phlegm may be gone within a day. It has happened to me.....

[Cristina1992 in reply to Usa2elsewhere]

Thank you 😊 yes my doctor checked this when it first started happening but I never get nose bleeds and it only happened when I had a cough and was mixed with the phlegm. Take care.

[Milky01]

Hey Cristina,

I have been coughing small streaks of blood since June. I smoked for a while but stopped as soon as I saw blood streaks. Ive had X-Ray, CT, bloods, mucose biopsy and all showed nothing. After 7 weeks with no blood streaks just yesterday I cleared my throat and saw some.. on the day i had to check up with my doctor. He said we can monitor it for another 8 weeks and see if it inproves further or go straight for the camera down the throat.. So im going to do that next.. Its very scary.. and they cant work out what it is, they dont think its lung cancer as im only 33 but im scared to death..

How is your situation improved and how ong has this been going on for you?

[Cristina1992 in reply to Milky01]

Hi Milky01 I'm so sorry to read you've been coughing up blood, it is a scary thing to happen 😟 I was advised that it is more common than you think and usually its nothing to worry about. I found this article on the NHS website to be reassuring.

nhs.uk/conditions/coughing-...

Its great that your scans and xray came back clear, mine did too but I continued to cough up blood for some time after.

The coughing up blood for me lasted a fair few months but was always accompanied with green phlegm so the doctors believed it was a chest infection causing damage to my lungs or throat through coughing.

I'm thankful to be able to say that its pretty much cleared up now and I'm feeling very well on new inhalers and no chest infections yet for a year.

I'm also on carbocistein which helps break up the phlegm so that i can clear it easier. Very occasionally I do cough phlegm up which has the odd streak of blood, but as my scans and blood tests were all fine and I feel generally well in myself I've not gone back to the doctors.

I hope you feel well again soon. Please do let me know how you get on if you do have the camera. Take care, Cristina.