Cough with phlegm is a common illness experienced by many people. This type of cough can occur because the lungs produce excessive sputum due to infection. Cough is the body’s way to clean the airway from phlegm in order to breathe better.
However, what if the Coughing Up Bloody Mucus? For young people, a cough like this may not be a serious symptom of the disease and can heal immediately. However, for people who are old and smo**kers, a bloody cough can be a dangerous indicator.
Bloody cough or hemoptysis generally caused a severe cough that occurs for a long time. Coughing Up Bloody Mucus should not be underestimated. The reason is, this condition can be a symptom of a serious life-threatening illness.
The disease that causes coughing up bloody mucus
After examination, the doctor will know the cause of hemoptysis that you are experiencing. Thus, treatment can be done to overcome the problem of Coughing Up Bloody Mucus or symptoms of hemoptysis.
Know the diseases that cause Coughing Up Bloody Mucus or hemoptysis, namely:
Acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is a disease that has symptoms of Coughing Up Bloody Mucus. This condition is caused by exposure to bacterial or viral infections that make the respiratory tract inflamed as the blood vessels around the bronchi rupture. This causes blood to appear in the phlegm.
Tuberculosis
TUBERCULOSIS is an infectious disease caused by exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. In addition to hemoptysis, there are symptoms experienced by TUBERCULOSIS, such as fever, frequent excessive sweating at night, the body feels limping all day, and drastically weight loss.
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism occurs when there is a blood clot that clogs one of the veins in the lungs. These blood clots are usually formed in blood vessels in other parts of the body, generally the legs or calves, which are then detached and running back upwards towards the lungs.
Some common symptoms that mark pulmonary embolism in addition to bloody phlegm are:
- Shortness of breath, usually appears suddenly.
- Chest pain that worsens as you try to take a deep breath, cough, eat, or bend.
- Leg pain or swelling that usually occurs in the calf.
- Fever.
- Excessive sweating.
- Heartbeat is fast and irregular.
- The head feels light or giddy.
Blood clots that clog the pulmonary vessels can block the flow of air, thus endangering life.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis can be the cause of bloody cough. This condition is depicted with chronic respiratory disorders caused by infections of the bronchi. Bronchial inflammation of the bronchiectasis causes the bronchial wall to thicken abnormally so the lungs have difficulty in clearing the mucus.
This excess mucus can eventually cause infections that can lead to gradual loss of lung function. During the exacerbation period, when the infection worsened, it can cause a Coughing Up Bloody Mucus. Bronchiectasis is a disease that is permanent and can relapse at any time.
In addition to coughing up blood, bronchiectasis also usually shows other health disorders that include:
- Cough and expel yellow phlegm
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired
- Experiencing fever
- The sound of a wheezing when coughing and taking a breath.
Pulmonary Edema
The cause of Coughing Up Bloody Mucus can occur when the sufferer is experiencing pulmonary edema which is also diagnosed to have problems in the heart. The blood that comes out when the cough will have a foamy texture and a pink color.
Lung cancer
This disease is more common in active smo**kers aged over 40 years. But apparently not only active smo**kers, people who often inhale cigarette smoke, but never smo**ked also have a risk for this disease. The main symptoms of lung cancer, especially in the late stage are blood cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia or known as wet lung is an infection that triggers inflammation of the air sacs in one or both of the lungs. These air sacs will then swell and be filled with liquids.
Generally, people with pneumonia are characterized by symptoms of dry cough or cough with a thick, yellow, green, or blood-sputum. In addition, the other symptoms of pneumonia that usually arise are fever, sweating and chills, shortness of breaths or breathlessness, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a congenital disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs in the body. The disease affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive fluid. The secreted fluid is usually liquid and slippery, but in patients with cystic fibrosis, the damaged gene causes the secretion to become sticky and thick.
Instead of acting as a lubricant, the secretion of coat tubes, channels and hallways, especially in the lungs and pancreas.
Although cystic fibrosis is progressive and requires daily treatment, people with this disease are usually still able to do activities, such as school and work.
Signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis vary, depending on the severity of the disease. Even in the same person, symptoms may deteriorate or improve over time. Some people may not experience symptoms until the age of adolescence or adulthood.
People with cystic fibrosis have higher salt levels than normal in their sweat. Additionally, the thick and sticky mucus associated with cystic fibrosis clogging the duct that carries the air in and out of the lungs may cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Persistent cough with sputum or Coughing Up Bloody Mucus.
- Wheezing
- Exercise intolerance
- Recurrent pulmonary infections
- Inflamed nasal passages or nasal congestion
- Recurrent sinusitis
8 Other causes:
- Prolonged or severe cough
- Severe nosebleeds
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Cervical cancer
- Narrow heart valve
- Serious injuries
- Drug use through the nose, such as co**caine
- Taking anticoagulant or anti-blood clotting drugs
If you experience at least one of these conditions, you should be careful. The blood in the phlegm can be a sign of serious things.
Latest Medical Insights (2024–2025):
- COVID-19 and Long COVID: Hemoptysis has been observed as a rare but severe symptom in long COVID patients, especially those with preexisting respiratory conditions.
- Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (VALI): Increased cases linked to e-cigarette usage have reported bloody mucus in young adults.
- Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease: Many recovered TB patients in Southeast Asia and Africa are developing chronic hemoptysis years after treatment.
People Also Ask
🟨 What Does Pink or Yellow Mucus with Blood Mean?
Pink mucus typically appears when a small amount of blood mixes with normal clear or white mucus. This may happen after intense coughing, throat irritation, or in early stages of respiratory infection. In some cases, pink mucus can also be a sign of pulmonary edema—especially if accompanied by shortness of breath or chest discomfort.
Yellow mucus with blood, on the other hand, often indicates a bacterial infection such as bronchitis or sinusitis, where inflammation has caused small blood vessels in your airways or nasal passages to rupture.
👉 If you are coughing up pink or yellow mucus with blood consistently for more than 3 days, or it’s accompanied by fever or fatigue, seek medical attention.
🟫 Hard or Thick Mucus with Blood: Is It Serious?
Coughing up thick, hard mucus with traces of blood might signal:
- Long-term post-nasal drip
- Chronic sinus infections
- Allergic rhinitis
- Or hardened phlegm trapped deep in the airways due to inadequate hydration or suppressed cough
In some rare cases, thick bloody mucus may also be seen in patients with bronchiectasis or after exposure to smoke, pollutants, or vaping products.
💡 Stay well-hydrated and use saline nebulizers or humidifiers to help loosen thick mucus.
🟥 What If You Also Have a Headache or Nosebleed?
If coughing up blood is accompanied by headache, it could suggest a more serious sinus infection or high blood pressure. Frequent bloody noses might occur during respiratory infections like bronchitis or due to dry indoor air damaging nasal blood vessels.
🛑 Seek evaluation if these symptoms persist or worsen.
This condition requires you to see a doctor
Meet a doctor or seek medical treatment, when a cough often occurs or many secrete a bloody phlegm. If the blood is dark and out with the rest of the food, then immediately consult yourself to the hospital.
It can be a sign of serious digestive tract problems. Also, meet the doctor if any of the following symptoms accompanying the blood in the phlegm.
- Chest Pain
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Sweating
- Rapid Heartbeat
- Shortness of breath worsening
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss for no obvious reason
- There is blood in urine or feces
While rare, coughing up blood can be an early sign of lung cancer. Explore more early warning signs of lung cancer to stay informed.
Infographic steps what to do if you cough up bloody mucus
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Modern Treatment Options for Hemoptysis (2025 Update)
💊 Updated Treatment Options (Medical & At-Home)
- Tranexamic Acid: An antifibrinolytic agent now more commonly used in emergency settings to stop active bleeding in the lungs.
- Endobronchial Therapy: Bronchoscopic procedures are preferred for locating and cauterizing bleeding areas.
- Home Monitoring: Pulse oximeters and digital spirometry tools help track lung health in hemoptysis-prone patients.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can dry air cause blood in mucus?
Yes, dry air can irritate and crack the nasal and throat linings, especially in winter, leading to minor bleeding in your mucus.
What’s the medical term for bloody mucus?
The clinical term is hemoptysis when blood is expelled from the lower respiratory tract.
Is pink phlegm dangerous?
It depends. Occasional pink mucus may not be alarming, but persistent pink phlegm should be evaluated, especially if accompanied by fatigue, fever, or breathing issues.
