What should you know about coughing up pink phlegm?

Pink colouring may come from irritated airways after forceful or repeated coughing. It can also occur when an airway infection produces mucus and inflames the lining. Acute bronchitis and pneumonia are possible causes; bronchiectasis and COPD can also cause blood-streaked sputum, particularly during a flare. Blood draining from the nose or sinuses can mix with mucus, including with chronic sinusitis. The colour alone cannot identify the cause.

Notice whether the material is frothy, clearly blood-streaked, or mixed with thick mucus. Record when it started, how often it appears, and any fever, chest discomfort or breathlessness.

Contact a clinician promptly, especially if the pink phlegm is new, returns, or accompanies fever, wheezing or worsening cough. Drink fluids if you can, avoid smoking and do not share leftover medicines. A clinician may listen to your chest and decide whether you need tests or treatment for an infection. Antibiotic treatment is useful only for selected bacterial infections, so do not start it without advice.

Call emergency services if you are struggling to breathe, have severe chest pain, feel faint or confused, or are coughing up more than a small streak of blood. Get same-day medical assessment if the bleeding continues, becomes brighter or heavier, or you have a serious lung condition. Bring a description or photograph only if it is safe to do so; never delay help to collect a sample.

Ask what source of bleeding is most likely, whether you need a chest examination or imaging, which symptoms should trigger emergency care, and whether any regular medicines could make bleeding more likely.