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What Causes Cough With Blood In Sputum?
Question: my 19 y/o very athletic son was home for the holiday, and had cold symptoms while here. upon his return to school last night, he woke up to coughing bloody mucus - bright red, and more blood than mucus. Saw the school NP, who looked at the picture he took of the blood, and also so more in the back of his throat. Ordered an X-ray that we are waiting on. This kid is a national level athlete in triathlon. His lungs sounded clear, drugs are not an issue. Ideas?
Brief Answer:
Bronchitis
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
Your son has had a cough and recently bloody sputum. The most common cause of blood in sputum is irritation to the throat and upper airways. This is a common finding in early bronchitis. If he has been taking aspirin or any anti-inflammatory this will make him more susceptible to bleeding and hence bloody sputum.
The other reason for blood in sputum is bloody nose. The blood from the nasal passages may get down the throat and get coughed up.
Since your son is such a good athlete is is very unlikely that he has cancer or other pulmonary problem that would cause bleeding. If the x-ray is clear then i would think the most likely cause of his bleeding is his nasal passages
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Bronchitis
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
Your son has had a cough and recently bloody sputum. The most common cause of blood in sputum is irritation to the throat and upper airways. This is a common finding in early bronchitis. If he has been taking aspirin or any anti-inflammatory this will make him more susceptible to bleeding and hence bloody sputum.
The other reason for blood in sputum is bloody nose. The blood from the nasal passages may get down the throat and get coughed up.
Since your son is such a good athlete is is very unlikely that he has cancer or other pulmonary problem that would cause bleeding. If the x-ray is clear then i would think the most likely cause of his bleeding is his nasal passages
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
How much blood was it?
Detailed Answer:
How much blood was in his sputum? Was it just some streaks or a huge large clump of blood? Streaking would indicate small amount of blood probably from some mild bronchitis or inflammation in his upper airways. If there is lots of blood then something deeper and possible blood vessel ectasia. This is where a blood vessel is dilated and can rupture with coughing. These are self limiting and have no long term consequences.
If the blood was only the one time then more than likely bronchitis or other inflammatory issue and again would be self limiting.
I would not be worried unless there was large amount of bleeding and continues bloody sputum.
How much blood was it?
Detailed Answer:
How much blood was in his sputum? Was it just some streaks or a huge large clump of blood? Streaking would indicate small amount of blood probably from some mild bronchitis or inflammation in his upper airways. If there is lots of blood then something deeper and possible blood vessel ectasia. This is where a blood vessel is dilated and can rupture with coughing. These are self limiting and have no long term consequences.
If the blood was only the one time then more than likely bronchitis or other inflammatory issue and again would be self limiting.
I would not be worried unless there was large amount of bleeding and continues bloody sputum.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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