What should you know about cough blood flu?

Coughing blood during a flu-like illness should be assessed according to the amount, recurrence, breathing symptoms, and overall condition. A small streak can follow forceful coughing or irritation, but blood may also come from the lower airways. Do not use the presence of flu-like symptoms to dismiss blood in sputum.

Acute Bronchitis and other respiratory infections can inflame airway surfaces and produce blood-streaked mucus. A Common Cold or Allergic Rhinitis may irritate the nose and throat, where bleeding can mix with saliva. Asthma, Bronchiectasis, and other lung conditions can also be associated with cough and blood. The cough symptom does not identify the cause by itself, and a clinician may need to examine you.

Stop strenuous activity, note the colour and amount of blood, and keep any prescribed medicines available for review. Avoid smoking and do not take leftover antibiotics. Contact a clinician promptly for any unexplained blood, repeated blood-streaked mucus, or a cough that is worsening. Tell them about fever, chest pain, breathlessness, recent infection, and medicines that affect bleeding.

Seek emergency help if you cough up more than a small streak, the bleeding continues, or you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, faintness, confusion, blue lips, or severe weakness. Urgent assessment is also needed when blood appears with sudden breathlessness or a rapidly worsening illness. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or severely short of breath.

Ask whether the blood may be from the nose, throat, or chest, whether you need an examination or imaging, and which symptoms should trigger emergency care. Describe exactly when it began and whether it has appeared more than once.