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Original poster

AIBU to wonder if coughing up blood means going to A&E?

60 replies

TheOpalFox · 17/07/2026 18:40

If you cough up pure blood shoud you go a and e? About 10 tablespoons

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOpalFox · 21/07/2026 23:32

Tillow4ever · 18/07/2026 17:18

@TheOpalFoxare you/the person ok? I hope that whoever it was got the medical attention needed and that they are doing well now.

Yes no blood clot after a 12 hour wait! Ough!!! I’m glad I went but had no answers apart from no blood clot? :( happy yes? Frustrated that they can’t tell me why and sent me on my way :(

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOpalFox · 21/07/2026 23:31

olympicsrock · 17/07/2026 19:15

Yes I’m a doctor. Please go to A and E straight away

Yes I went and they can’t find the reason ? Sat in a and e 12 hours :(
no blood clot so was sent on my way :(

OP posts:
Tillow4ever · 18/07/2026 17:18

@TheOpalFoxare you/the person ok? I hope that whoever it was got the medical attention needed and that they are doing well now.

NotAnotherScarf · 17/07/2026 22:48

Fuck yes, if bright its your lungs that are fucked. Dark stomach...either is bad

MsGreying · 17/07/2026 22:28

To add to the yes chorus:yes!

WellThatIsABitMad · 17/07/2026 22:23

If you can go there straightaway, or phone 999.

MissCharlotteLutterell · 17/07/2026 22:14

Absolutely.

I coughed up far less than that and it was a blood clot on my lung. I should have gone to hospital the first time it happened but I was away from home and didn't realise how potentially serious it was. (Note: pulmonary embolism doesn't always present with the additional red flag symptoms it says on Google.) I was fortunate and survived it sitting in my lung for 10 weeks before being detected but something awful like 1/3 of lung clots are discovered post mortem.

Absolutely go now.

MirrorMirror1247 · 17/07/2026 22:14

It could be bleeding varisces. That's a category A emergency for my health board, ie you would need to be in theatre in under an hour if that's what's going on.

JustAboutMuddlingThrough · 17/07/2026 22:08

BMW58 · 17/07/2026 21:26

Yes of course. My DH died coughing/vomiting blood.

My Dad did too. It was one of the most horrific things I’ve ever experienced

BMW58 · 17/07/2026 21:26

Yes of course. My DH died coughing/vomiting blood.

Wishineversmoked · 17/07/2026 20:43

I went when I coughed up blood I didn’t hesitate after a lot of tests it was pneumonia

NaturallyCuriousCat · 17/07/2026 20:06

Pack some things up and go. That really is a lot, not spitting a bit out

Tillow4ever · 17/07/2026 20:03

Op is it you or someone else? If someone else, get them to A&E fast. If you, call 999 now.

if it’s a child, I’d possibly call 999 first as it might be faster to get paramedics to help them than you driving them.

10 tablespoons is around 150ml. Just under half a can ok Coke to put that into perspective. More than a “standard” 125ml glass of wine. That’s a massive amount of blood to cough up.

This is a medical emergency. I hope the person is ok.

SallyD00lally · 17/07/2026 20:01

It never fails to horrify me, some of the ridiculous questions people ask on this forum.

Pieceofpurplesky · 17/07/2026 19:59

I hope you are on the way already!

mynameiscalypso · 17/07/2026 19:53

Apologies if this isn’t the case but my first thought is have you taken some sort of overdose?

concertinacornflake · 17/07/2026 19:53

NHS page on coughing up blood says 999 or get taken to A&E.

EasternStandard · 17/07/2026 19:50

Of course

JulietSierra · 17/07/2026 19:46

That’s a heck of a lot of blood! I’ve had pneumonia twice and have coughed up blood with that but that’s always been bloody sputum. 10 tablespoons of blood you need emergency investigation.

elliesmummy19 · 17/07/2026 19:30

I have a pretty high threshold for going to A&E and think most people go for nonsense stuff but in this case then absolutely without a doubt yes!!! Go now!

3luckystars · 17/07/2026 19:21

I opened this expecting the usual ‘Absolutely not this is not an accident or emergency.’ And it hasn’t happened.

so this is definitely definitely it’s a code red emergency and see a doctor now. NOW.

ForDreamyMintHare · 17/07/2026 19:19

That much - yes. Big bout of coughing with a tiny bit of blood-stained phlegm at the end - GP. Tablespoons of blood - do not pass go, do not collect £200, straight to A&E now.

olympicsrock · 17/07/2026 19:15

Yes I’m a doctor. Please go to A and E straight away

Silverwombat · 17/07/2026 19:10

Yes definitely. I am a GP and if someone called to tell me they'd coughed up 10 tablespoons of fresh blood I'd be telling them to call 999 instead.

Orangemintcream · 17/07/2026 19:09

Yes absolutely.