What does blood in your spit mean?

A bleeding gum, mouth sore or nosebleed can mix with saliva. Blood that appears after coughing may be coming from the breathing tubes and can mix with phlegm. Acute bronchitis can present with a cough and small streaks of blood after forceful coughing. Pneumonia may cause cough, fever, chest discomfort and blood-stained phlegm. Longer-term airway conditions such as bronchiectasis or COPD also need medical review when blood appears.

Colour, quantity and timing are useful clues, but they cannot confirm the source at home. Note whether blood follows brushing, nose symptoms, coughing or vomiting, and whether you have breathlessness or chest pain.

Arrange medical advice for unexplained blood, even when the amount is small. Avoid smoking and strenuous activity until assessed. Do not start antibiotic treatment from an old prescription; antibiotics help some bacterial infections but do not treat every cause of blood-stained spit. Take a photograph or note the amount if the symptom recurs.

Call emergency services if you cough up more than streaks, the bleeding continues, or you have trouble breathing, chest pain, faintness, blue lips, confusion or a very fast heartbeat. Urgent review is also needed when blood occurs with a high fever or rapidly worsening illness.

Ask whether the blood seems to come from the mouth, nose or lungs, whether you need a chest examination or imaging, and which changes require emergency help. Mention smoking, lung conditions and medicines that affect bleeding.