What should you know about brown sputum?

Sputum gets its colour from mucus, dust, smoke, dehydration or blood that has changed colour while in the airways. Acute Bronchitis can produce coloured phlegm during a cough, while Pneumonia may bring fever, chest discomfort and breathlessness. Bronchiectasis and COPD can cause recurrent sputum, especially in people with long-standing airway disease.

Mucus draining from the nose or sinuses can also be swallowed or coughed up; Chronic Sinusitis may cause post-nasal drainage and a blocked nose. Colour alone cannot show whether bacteria are present or whether antibiotics are appropriate.

Drink fluids if you can, avoid smoke and note the colour, amount, smell and duration. Arrange a medical review when brown phlegm lasts, returns often or occurs with wheeze, fever, chest pain or reduced exercise tolerance. A clinician may listen to your lungs and decide whether a sample, chest imaging or breathing tests are useful. Antibiotic Treatment should be used only when prescribed.

Seek urgent help for coughing up fresh blood, severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, severe chest pain or rapidly worsening illness. These signs can indicate a serious airway, lung or circulation problem.

Ask whether the sputum pattern fits an infection or chronic airway condition, whether tests are needed, and what change in breathing should trigger urgent review.