Coughing up blood, called hemoptysis, should always be checked by a doctor, even if it is a small streak. Common causes in India are TB, bronchiectasis and chest infections; less often it can be a sign of lung cancer or a blood vessel problem. Coughing up a large amount of blood is an emergency. Dr A. Ashok Kumar evaluates hemoptysis in Chittoor with imaging, sputum tests and bronchoscopy when needed.
Common symptoms of blood in cough
- Blood-streaked phlegm
- Coughing up fresh red blood or clots
- Cough with fever or weight loss
Get urgent care if you have
- More than a few spoons of blood
- Breathlessness or dizziness with bleeding
- Bleeding while on blood thinners
Emergency? Call 093448 53689 or 108, or go to the nearest hospital.
Causes and risk factors
TB (active or old), bronchiectasis, pneumonia, lung cancer, blood thinners, and, less often, heart or vessel problems.
Tests that help
Chest X-ray and HRCT chest
Pictures of the lungs. A high-resolution CT (HRCT) shows fine detail and is important for ILD, bronchiectasis, unexplained cough and lung spots. Dr Ashok arranges the right scan and explains the report with you.
Sputum and TB tests
Testing a sample of phlegm under the microscope and with rapid molecular tests finds TB germs and other infections, and shows whether TB germs are resistant to medicines.
Bronchoscopy and BAL (selected cases)
A thin flexible camera is passed through the nose or mouth into the airways, under sedation and local anaesthetic, to look inside, take samples (BAL) or a small biopsy. It is used when tests are needed for infection, TB, ILD or a lung spot.
How Dr Ashok manages it
- Urgent assessment of how much bleeding there is
- Chest X-ray and CT scan to find the source
- Sputum and TB tests
- Bronchoscopy in selected cases
- Hospital and ICU care for heavy bleeding, with referral for specialised procedures when needed
Living well
- Do not ignore even small amounts
- Keep a note of how much and how often
- Stop smoking
Questions patients ask
Is blood in cough always TB?
No. TB is a common cause in India, but infection, bronchiectasis and other conditions can also cause it. Tests are needed to find the real cause.
Could it be from my throat or nose?
Sometimes blood comes from the nose, gums or throat. The doctor will check where it is really coming from.