Bronchiectasis.. does coughing up some blood in sputum automatically mean that you’re having an exacerbation even if you feel fine?

[Phill1]

Just woken to cough up some sputum which has streaks of blood in it 😬

No other symptoms at all so comes as a bit of a shock

Can this happen without me needing to start antibiotics???? Hoping it’s a one off …

[Hidden]

Hi Phill1. In my experience over the years, small streaks of blood with no other changes usually indicates that a tiny blood vessel has burst. It usually goes away as I empty my lungs of the mucus it is contained in. In that case I don't take the abs. I would keep an eye on it. If anything changes such as amount and colour, you feel poorly and the blood gets more or looks fresh, that is a sign of an exacerbation.

[Phill1 in reply to Hidden]

thanks LP …reassuring to hear that

I maybe shouldn’t have walked

[Hidden in reply to Phill1]

I don't think walking would have made any difference. It's just one of those things. Could even be caused by coughing. Walking is good because it loosens the mucus which could be harbouring the bugs. Don't forget that scrupulously emptying your lungs every day is THE most important thing to do for yourself.

[Phill1 in reply to Phill1]

🙄 start again 🙄…I maybe shouldn’t have walked out to the shops in the cold yesterday, even though wore a mask.I did feel my lungs protesting on an incline that I normally cope with.

Thinking .. Should I leave off the aerobika today?

Thanks again

Pat

[Patk1 in reply to Phill1]

It's quite normal to have streaks of blood with bronchiectasis.if yr able,walking is good.if it's cold,wear a loose scarf around mouth +nose to warm air .most people feel effects of inclines to varying degrees,with&without lung probs.id clear lungs before u walk,and use puffer,if need too.v tiny capillaries do leak/ mini tears especially with bronch.even coughing can cause it.without signs of infection,I'd not be concerned

[Phill1 in reply to Patk1]

thanks for reassurance.. hasn’t happened again.. hopefully just a random night time fright🤞

[Patk1 in reply to Phill1]

Yes,Don't worry!coughing can also rupture tiny capillaries too.its no biggy - you'd know if it was.xxx

[Lizzab]

No, not necessarily a need for antibiotics when you see blood. As others have said, keep an eye on it.

I coughed up blood for years at night (just a little). Investigation found nothing.

That has now stopped.

I did recently have a show of blood, fresh, red and chest pain. I concluded that I had been moving wood which I don't usually do, and had strained myself.

It's always a bit upsetting though isn't it....

[Phill1 in reply to Lizzab]

thanks .. Reassuring… keeping an eye on it …hasn’t recurred 🤞I may have strained it walking fast up an incline.. felt a bit tight in my chest when doing it …

[BronchyBronwen]

Just to add to comments of others. About five years ago, I coughed up blood in the night. Went to A&E next morning. Long story short, it was probably due to a burst blood vessel, a result of coughing with bronchiectasis. No recurrence since.

[Phill1 in reply to BronchyBronwen]

thanks .. reassuring to hear it’s not uncommon…was a bit unnerving at the time though!

[BronchyBronwen]

Yes, of course. I found it unnerving too. Why wouldn’t we?!