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What Causes Cough With Blood-tinged Sputum?

Posted on Tue, 21 Jul 2015

Question: I'm 63, smoker, and have recently managed to reduce my smoking from 30 to 12 cigarettes a day, using an electronic cigarette. For the past week or so, when I cough too hard, there is blood mixed with the usual clear sputum(?). This also occurred when I aspirated some water while drinking. After a while of clearing my throat and spitting, the blood stops and I'm fine again. I had a breathing test two years ago and everything was surprisingly good. Is it possible that the vapor from the e-cigarette is too hot? Or could there be something seriously wrong?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Needs immediate evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Cough with blood tinged expectoration means that there is some kind of inflammation, most likely to be in the upper respiratory tract. No, it does not mean that the smoke is too hot.

Here is what your should do

1. Please stop smoking your cigarettes immediately. It is important for the inflammation to settle down
2. Gargle your throat with betadine gargles
3. Tab Levocet at night will help reduce the inflammation

If the symptoms still persists even after this then please appraoch a physician to get examination and a chest x ray done as soon as possible.

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar