Why does tuberculosis cause coughing up blood?

TB can create areas of inflammation in the lungs. When irritated tissue breaks down or a small vessel bleeds into an airway, blood may mix with mucus and be coughed out. It may appear as streaks, spots or a larger amount; the appearance alone cannot establish the cause.

Coughing Up Blood is a very common presentation of Tuberculosis. It is nevertheless an urgent symptom because bleeding from the lungs and airways can have several causes that need prompt examination.

Seek urgent medical assessment if you cough up blood. Sit upright, stay calm and note the colour and approximate amount if you can do so safely. Avoid lying flat, strenuous activity and delaying care while waiting to see whether it stops. Bring details of current medicines, especially any that affect bleeding.

The medical team may assess breathing and circulation, examine the chest and arrange tests to identify the source. If TB is suspected or already diagnosed, follow the infection-control and treatment advice given by the team.

Call emergency services immediately if you are coughing up more than small streaks of blood, have breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, confusion or rapidly worsening symptoms. Even a small amount of blood should be reviewed urgently, especially with fever, weight change, persistent cough or known lung disease.

Ask what may be causing the bleeding, whether the bleeding has stopped, and which tests are needed to find its source. Ask what to do if it happens again, whether any medicines need adjustment, and how a confirmed TB diagnosis will be treated and followed.