What does coughing up blood feel like with bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis can widen and damage parts of the airways, making them prone to collecting mucus and becoming inflamed. Small blood vessels near the airway surface may bleed during infection or forceful coughing. The blood may look bright red, rusty, or mixed through phlegm. The amount and frequency matter, but appearance alone cannot show the cause.

Contact a clinician promptly if you cough up blood, even when it is only a small streak, particularly if you also have more mucus, a change in mucus colour, fever, breathlessness, or chest discomfort. Note when it happened, how much you saw, and whether it was mixed with phlegm. Take prescribed airway medicines as directed, but do not start or stop treatment without advice.

Call emergency services for heavy or repeated bleeding, trouble breathing, dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, or chest pain. Sit upright while waiting for help. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or short of breath.

Ask whether the bleeding may relate to an airway infection, whether you need a mucus test or chest imaging, how to manage airway clearance safely, and what amount of blood should trigger emergency care.