Blood in sputum in the morning when clearing your throat

Dry air, mouth breathing, a small nosebleed or mucus draining from irritated sinuses can leave red or brown streaks noticed after waking. Repeated throat clearing can also scrape delicate tissue. Blood may instead arise lower in the breathing passages, especially with a chest infection such as acute bronchitis or pneumonia. Ongoing mucus production can occur with bronchiectasis or COPD. The appearance alone cannot identify the source.

Note whether the blood is bright red, rusty or mixed through mucus, and whether it follows nosebleeding, throat irritation or a cough. Arrange a medical review when it returns, lasts beyond a brief episode, or occurs with fever, wheeze, chest discomfort or worsening phlegm. A clinician may examine your nose, mouth and chest and decide whether further tests are needed. Do not start antibiotic treatment without advice.

Seek emergency help for more than a small streak, bleeding that does not stop, difficulty breathing, chest pain, faintness, blue lips or a fast deterioration. Prompt same-day advice is sensible if you have a significant lung condition, take medicine that affects clotting, or feel acutely unwell.

Could the blood be coming from my nose or throat? What examination or tests would locate the source? Which changes in sputum should prompt urgent review? Could my medicines, smoking or an existing lung condition be contributing?