Question: I traveled overseas last Sunday, and arrived on Monday. I had a horrible cough and was coughing up phlegm. The week before I traveled, I had a chest ex-ray done and it was clear. They gave me a flu swab test and that came out positive. They put me on XXXXXXX Flu. I was also taking Sudafed PE with tylenol for quite a few days. Well Tuesday night, when I was overseas, I coughed up bright red blood. Around a tablespoon of it. After that, I saw streaks of blood mixed in with my phlegm as I coughed. Mind you, I was constantly coughing nonstop and very hard. It lasted for a day and from then on, I only saw phlegm when I coughed. I was not out of breath, nor was I dizzy. I did experience some chest pains the whole time, due to my coughing. (I had chest pains before I saw blood as well). When I came back to the doctor after my trip, she put me on antibiotics and suggested if I still have the cough after the antibiotics, I should see a pulmonologist. Thank g-d my cough has improved and I am still experiencing at times mild chest pains. My question is, was the blood from my coughing extensively (I had this cough since Christmas) or was it a pulminary embolism from the long plane ride.? Btw, I wore elastic ankle bands on the plane going and I wore compression socks going home. Do you think I may have more clots? Should I go to the ER now.. I feel fine now .