Coughing up Blood

Differential Diagnosis

Common Diagnoses

Occasional Diagnoses

Rare Diagnoses

  • Associated with SLE
  • Aspergillosis
  • Goodpasture’s Syndrome
  • Contusion Due to Trauma
  • Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations (50% Associated with Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia)

Ready Reckoner

Key distinguishing features of the most common diagnoses

Chest InfectionPEBronchogenic CarcinomaPulmonary OedemaProlonged Coughing
Purulent SputumYes NoPossible NoPossible
Pink Frothy Sputum No No NoYes No
Chest SignsYesPossiblePossiblePossible No
SOBYesYesPossibleYes No
FeverYesPossiblePossible No No

Possible Investigations

Likely:CXR.

Possible:FBC, ESR/CRP, autoantibody screen, sputum, pulse oximetry.

Small Print:Bronchoscopy, secondary care investigations for pulmonary embolism, echocardiogram, other chest imaging (e.g. CT scan).

  • CXR: This is the single most valuable investigation for detecting many of the causes listed.
  • Sputum microbiology: May be needed to look for acid-fast bacilli of TB.
  • FBC and ESR/CRP: For anaemia (LVF and malignant disease); WCC raised in infection, ESR/CRP raised in malignancy, infection and inflammatory conditions.
  • Autoantibody screen: For assessing possible connective tissue disease.
  • Pulse oximetry: Hypoxia points to significant acute lung pathology.
  • Hospital-based tests: Various other investigations may be considered according to the likely aetiology and would usually be arranged by the hospital specialist after referral, e.g. bronchoscopy, investigations for pulmonary embolism, CT scan and echocardiography.

Top Tips

  • In younger patients, the symptom is most commonly caused by vigorous coughing. If this is clearly the case, and the haemoptysis was minor, do not engender unnecessary anxiety by arranging a CXR.
  • Take a careful history. The terminology used by some patients can confuse the doctor as to whether blood was coughed or vomited up.
  • Don’t forget that most patients – and smokers in particular – will be worried that the symptom represents cancer. Reassure firmly when appropriate, but investigate early those cases that concern you, providing an adequate explanation as to why you are arranging a CXR and making firm arrangements for follow-up.

Red Flags

  • Any smoker with significant haemoptysis should have a CXR – particularly if there are other sinister features such as shortness of breath, weight loss, persistent cough or clubbing.
  • PE causes sudden onset of shortness of breath with pleuritic pain. Consider this diagnosis if there is no other obvious explanation for the symptoms, especially if the patient has a tachycardia. Signs of DVT may only appear later, or sometimes never at all.
  • TB is on the increase in the UK. Consider this possibility in the elderly, immigrants and vagrants. It often mimics malignancy.
  • If haemoptysis persists, arrange referral even if the CXR is clear – some lesions may not appear on the X-ray, or may only develop after some time has elapsed. Other investigations may be required.

Published: 2nd August 2022 Updated: 10th April 2024

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Based on the best-selling book Symptom Sorter, Nursing in Practice Reference is designed to help nurses working in primary and community care make sense of patient presentations. Written by GPs and adapted by nurses, it covers the vast majority of symptoms seen in primary care to inform different nursing disciplines with a range of responsibilities. Each symptom is organised into common, occasional or rare differentials, with distinguishing features, possible investigations and key points. It also provides guides on managing more than 350 conditions. The perspective is very much grass roots primary care, informed by the latest evidence and guidance.

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Disclaimer

Nursing in Practice Reference is based on the best-selling book Symptom Sorter. The experts behind Nursing in Practice Reference are Marilyn Eveleigh who is Nursing in Practice’s editorial advisor and a primary care nurse in East Sussex, Dr Keith Hopcroft who is the co-author of Symptom Sorter, a GP in Essex and Pulse editorial advisor and Dr Poppy Freeman, a GP in Camden and also a clinical advisor to Pulse.