Coughing up blood

Date Updated: 11/01/2024

Definition

People can cough up blood due to various lung conditions. The blood may be bright red or pink and frothy. It also could be mixed with mucus. Coughing up blood from the lower respiratory tract also is known as hemoptysis (he-MOP-tih-sis).

Coughing up blood, even in small amounts, can be alarming. But producing sputum with a small amount of blood in it isn't uncommon, and it usually isn't serious. But if you're coughing up blood often or in large amounts, call 911 or seek emergency care.

Causes

Hemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from some part of the lungs. Blood coming from other places, such as your stomach, can look like it's coming from the lungs. It's important for your healthcare professional to find where the bleeding is coming from and figure out why you're coughing up blood.

In adults, some of the more common causes of coughing up blood include:

Bronchitis
Bronchiectasis, which leads to a buildup of mucus that can be streaked with blood and raise the risk of infection.
Pneumonia

Other possible causes of coughing up blood include these conditions and diseases:

Bronchial neoplasm, which is a tumor that stems from the large airway in the lung.
COPD
Cystic fibrosis
Lung cancer
Mitral valve stenosis
Pulmonary embolism
Tuberculosis

A person also may cough up blood due to:

Chest injury.
Drug use, such as cocaine.
Foreign body, which is some type of object or matter that entered the body and shouldn't be there.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Infection by parasites.

Your healthcare professional can look at your symptoms to come up with a diagnosis.

When to see a doctor

Call your healthcare professional if you're coughing up blood. Your healthcare professional can determine whether the cause is minor or more serious. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you're coughing up a lot of blood or the bleeding won't stop.