Coughing up blood

Alternative names:

bloody sputum; hemoptysis; spitting up blood

Definition:

The expectoration or spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs, throat, or mouth.

Considerations:

Coughing up blood from the lungs (hemoptysis) is sometimes confused with bleeding from the mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal tract.

Hemoptysis often looks frothy because it is mixed with air. It is usually bright red.

Common causes:

• recent nosebleed
• vigorous tooth-brushing
• irritation of the throat from violent coughing
• lung cancer (see metastatic lung cancer)--especially if over 40 and a smoker
• pulmonary embolus
• cystic fibrosis
• pulmonary infection (bacterial or viral infection in the lung or airway)
  • bronchiectasis
  • bronchitis
  • laryngitis
  • pneumonia

• pulmonary aspiration (inhaling blood into the lungs)
  • from bleeding teeth such as with gingivitis
  • nosebleed (epistaxis)
  • tonsillectomy

• diagnostic tests such as bronchoscopy, upper airway biopsy, laryngoscopy, lung biopsy, mediastinoscopy, or spirometry
• tuberculosis (TB)
• pulmonary edema
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Goodpasture's syndrome
• Wegener's granulomatosis

Note: There may be other causes of coughing up blood. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for coughing up blood, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.