Overview
Coughing up blood — from streaks in sputum to larger amounts — is called haemoptysis. Common causes include bronchitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis (active or old) and fungal infection; less commonly lung cancer. It always deserves prompt evaluation.
Common Symptoms
- Blood streaks in sputum
- Coughing up clots or fresh blood
- Cough with fever or weight loss
- Breathlessness
When to Consult a Pulmonologist
Any blood in sputum should be assessed promptly. Coughing more than a few spoonfuls of blood, or blood with breathlessness or dizziness, is an emergency — go to the nearest emergency department or call 112.
How We Diagnose It
Evaluation usually includes chest X-ray and CT, sputum tests including for TB, blood tests, and flexible bronchoscopy to find the bleeding source.
Treatment Approach
Treatment depends on the cause — for example TB treatment, treatment of infection or bronchiectasis, or referral for bronchial artery embolisation when bleeding is significant.
