

"Some people will cough up sputum (saliva and mucus) that has some blood streaks in it others will bring up mucus that might look infected, yellow or green, with some blood in it as well," he said. Rizzo also said that the amount of blood one is coughing up can indicate how severe the situation is. "Certainly that can happen with COVID-19, and it speaks potentially to the severity of the inflammation when blood is being spit up along with mucus." "The main issue is hemoptysis (coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus) is a sign of airway inflammation," Rizzo continued. Plenty of things, including common illnesses like bronchitis, can lead people to cough up blood. "What happens is, airway inflammation sometimes leads to a very fragile lining of the airways, and those small blood vessels, or capillaries, might be affected, causing blood to come out," he said, adding that coughing up blood can be caused by common illnesses like bronchitis or more severe diseases like lung cancer. Albert Rizzo, the chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, there are many reasons for why someone might be coughing up blood. "With pneumonias, coughing up blood can be a symptom, regardless of what caused the pneumonia, so it makes sense it could happen with COVID-19 as well," Torres told TODAY, via email.Īccording to Dr.

John Torres, a small study out of China found that "1% of COVID-19 patients complained of coughing up blood." Health & Wellness Why are people coughing up blood?Īccording to NBC News medical correspondent Dr. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.Download the TODAY app for the latest coverage on the coronavirus outbreak.Įxperts said that the symptom might seem scary, but you shouldn't panic. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. The above information is an educational aid only. © Copyright Merative 2023 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

You may be referred to a lung specialist or surgeon. You may need frequent visits to monitor your condition and prevent more blood loss. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.įollow up with your doctor in 2 days or as directed: E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can cause lung damage.
