Bad cough with blood: what should you know?

Small streaks may follow forceful coughing, but blood can also occur with acute bronchitis, bronchiectasis, asthma, or another lung condition. Blood from the nose, gums, or throat can mix with saliva and look as if it was coughed up. The colour, amount, frequency, and presence of mucus help clinicians judge the source. This symptom does not identify one diagnosis by itself.

Write down when it started, how often it appears, and whether it came with chest pain, breathlessness, fever, dizziness, or weight change. Do not dismiss repeated blood because the amount seems small.

Stop strenuous activity and arrange prompt medical assessment. Keep a sample or photograph only if this can be done safely, and note medicines such as blood thinners. Avoid smoking and do not take cough medicines containing ingredients that may interact with your treatment without pharmacist advice. If bleeding is ongoing or breathing is affected, use emergency services rather than driving yourself.

Call emergency services for more than a small streak, continuing or increasing bleeding, severe breathlessness, chest pain, faintness, confusion, blue lips, or a fast pounding heartbeat. Urgent assessment is also needed after a chest injury, choking episode, or when blood appears with sudden breathing difficulty. Children and people taking anticoagulants should receive tailored advice promptly.

Could the blood be from my nose or throat, or from the lungs? Do my medicines increase bleeding risk? What examination or imaging might be needed? Which symptoms mean I should return immediately?