Coughs: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Are you coughing up bloody sputum that is bright red or rust-colored mucus (hemoptysis)?

See significance of bloody sputum if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have a large amount [] of bright red blood in your sputum?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have small streaks of bright red blood in your sputum?

Yes

Do you produce small streaks of blood or rust-colored mucus during all or most of your coughing episodes?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you frequently coughed up rust-colored sputum or a small amount of blood-streaked sputum in the last 24 hours?

Yes

Have you had occasional small streaks of bright red blood in your sputum and other respiratory symptoms for longer than 48 hours?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you coughed up rust-colored sputum or a small amount of blood-streaked sputum after other cold symptoms have gone away?

Yes

Have you coughed up rust-colored sputum or a small amount of blood-streaked sputum but you do not have a cold or other respiratory symptoms?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	February 25, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer