Coughing Up Blood? When to See a Doctor - Causes & Risks

Yes, you should see a doctor immediately if you are coughing up phlegm with what looks like blood. This is a symptom that could indicate a serious underlying medical condition.

Coughing up blood (hemoptysis) can be a sign of:

- Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial infection that can affect the lungs. TB is more common in people with weakened immune systems.

- Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

- Bronchiectasis: A chronic condition that causes the bronchial tubes to become widened and scarred.

- Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs.

- Lung cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the lungs.

- Other serious conditions: such as heart failure, aortic aneurysm, and pulmonary embolism.

Seeing a doctor right away is important so that the cause of the hemoptysis can be diagnosed and treated promptly. The doctor may order tests such as a chest X-ray, sputum culture, and blood tests to determine the cause of the bleeding. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause.