What Could Cause Sudden Spitting Up Of Phlegm With Blood After Traveling To A Canada?

Posted on Mon, 26 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 Answered on

Thu, 11 May 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a healthy, active male who teaches, coaches at a middle school. Last weekend, I traveled with my fiancee to Canada, not too far away from XXXXXXX where I live. We stayed out later than usual, and I drove home late last night, arriving at 2:30 p.m. ,then got too school around 8:30 p.m. Something unusual just happened: I went to the bathroom, and, though I have no cold, spat a little phlegm. I happened to look at it and it had mostly blood. I spat again and saw the same amount of blood. I't's a bright red color. Checking the inside of my mouth showed no visible cuts. Also. I then noticed a slight metallic taste.
I've never had such an unusual incident without any obvious contributing factor.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Investigation is required

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The presence of blood in the phlegm is always alarming unless we have a very good explanation for it. In your case, we don't seem to have one, therefore investigation is recommended. The metallic taste was obviously from the blood.

The upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth, larynx) and the lower respiratory tract have to be checked. The upper part can be checked clinically (an ENT specialist can do that). The lower part is better assessed radiologically (starting with a chest X-ray) although in some cases more invasive measures (bronchoscopy) may be necessary.

In conclusion, the site of bleeding has to be found. Problems with the teeth and gums are simple benign causes of such bleeding. Other causes may include more serious disorders including cancer.

I hope you find my comments helpful!

Regards,
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis
Internal Medicine Specialist

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