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Covid

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Original poster

DD coughing up blood

27 replies

changingstages · 12/12/2021 16:39

DD10 currently has covid. She's not been too bad, a bit feverish and tired, sore stomach and stinging eyes. She does have a cough, it's not been too awful, a cough every 10 minutes or so, I'd say and it does settle at night so it's not keeping her awake.

She just told me that earlier today she coughed and 'some dark red blood came out'. Now, I know, I know, if I read on MN that someone's kid was coughing up blood I'd be like CALL A DOCTOR. But. It's Saturday so I can't just call my GP. Our local A&E is absolutely bursting at the seams so a visit there would mean a very, very, very long wait and she's already feeling rubbish. I know I can call 111 but I suspect they might just direct us to A&E.

It's only happened once, about three hours ago, she says. While she doesn't seem super well, she is not desperately ill. Also I think dark red means it's less likely to be fresh blood - ie coughed up from her lungs?

Anyone who has actual medical knowledge rather than my half-remembered things from Casualty would be very much appreciated. Am I ok to watch and wait? I'd rather not drag an infection kid out in the dark if it's not necessary. Also... if it is ok, what SHOULD I be watching for? (apart from more blood, obviously).

OP posts:

Original poster

changingstages · 12/12/2021 16:39

INFECTIOUS kid, not infection kid.

OP posts:

justasking111 · 12/12/2021 16:42

Could be a burst vessel in throat from coughing. Ring 111 would be my advice

AgnesV · 12/12/2021 16:43

No medical knowledge but has she had a nosebleed. That could make phlegm bloody

WaterBottle123 · 12/12/2021 16:45

Agree with PP, I once thought my DD was coughing blood so rushed to GP, was caused by a nosebleed.

Hope she feels better soon!

Original poster

changingstages · 12/12/2021 16:46

yes, these are two non-scary things I thought too - she hasn't had a nosebleed but has been pretty snotty so I thought maybe it could be something to do with that? I don't want to panic unnecessarily...

I also just realised I said it was Saturday so maybe I'm not thinking as clearly as I might be!!!

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Mindymomo · 12/12/2021 16:47

I’ve coughed up old dark blood before when feeling ill and coughing a lot. I would obviously keep an eye on it happening again and yes, ring 111 if you need advice.

triceratopsatemyhat · 12/12/2021 16:48

I would call 111. It's more worrying when it's dark (older) blood or if it was to appear almost like coffee grounds because it can indicate internal bleeding.

Original poster

changingstages · 12/12/2021 16:51

@triceratopsatemyhat

I would call 111. It's more worrying when it's dark (older) blood or if it was to appear almost like coffee grounds because it can indicate internal bleeding.

oh dear. Sounds like I've misremembered those old episodes of Casualty. I probably should call...

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Original poster

changingstages · 12/12/2021 16:51

@Mindymomo

I’ve coughed up old dark blood before when feeling ill and coughing a lot. I would obviously keep an eye on it happening again and yes, ring 111 if you need advice.

did you know why you coughed it up? I think it's only ever happened to me when I had flu and I'd coughed so much something went in my throat, but looking back, that was bright red.

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CovidCorvid · 12/12/2021 16:51

If it’s only happened once and she’s not short of breath I wouldn’t be racing to a&e. 111 are very likely to tell you to go to a&e as it’s their default answer. She might have torn a small blood vessel from coughing. I’d see how she goes personally. 🤷‍♀️

Sideswiped · 12/12/2021 16:55

@triceratopsatemyhat, the coffee grounds appearance you're talking about is with vomiting not coughing. (It's because the blood has been digested in the stomach before coming back up.)
@changingstages, has she been coughing since? And has that been clear of blood? If so, I would keep an eye out for it (you could tell her to show you if it happens again), but otherwise not panic. It's possible to burst a small blood vessel with violent coughing. If itself, it doesn't really mean anything serious unless there's a substantial amount of blood.

Original poster

changingstages · 12/12/2021 16:57

[quote Sideswiped]@triceratopsatemyhat, the coffee grounds appearance you're talking about is with vomiting not coughing. (It's because the blood has been digested in the stomach before coming back up.)
@changingstages, has she been coughing since? And has that been clear of blood? If so, I would keep an eye out for it (you could tell her to show you if it happens again), but otherwise not panic. It's possible to burst a small blood vessel with violent coughing. If itself, it doesn't really mean anything serious unless there's a substantial amount of blood.[/quote]
she has been coughing and it doesn't seem to have happened since. I think we'll just wait and see - our GP surgery are really great so if she needs to be seen tomorrow morning I know she can be there... though if it happens again I'll call someone tonight. Just so reluctant to put any pressure on A&E with things the way they are (and it would be miserable for her too).

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Prescottdanni123 · 12/12/2021 17:18

Do you have a walk in centre nearby? They may be able to figure out what has caused it without sending you straight to A&E

Cocolapew · 12/12/2021 17:25

My neice coulghed up blood during the week and it's turned out she has a clot on her lung.

Original poster

changingstages · 12/12/2021 18:30

@Cocolapew

My neice coulghed up blood during the week and it's turned out she has a clot on her lung.

Oh gosh, that's so worrying, your poor niece. I hope she's doing ok? Was it a lot of blood, do you mind me asking? Does she have covid?

@Prescottdanni123 we did, but they've merged it with A&E - it's actually a pretty good system whenever we've used it as they funnel you off in the right direction and then you've got the hospital right there if you need it BUT the major flaw is that there's just one queue for A&E and minors/walk in and it can be very, very long. The weather is appalling here so am keen to avoid if I can.

I did try to get through to 111 but ended up on hold for ages - am going to try again in a bit, I think.

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Covidworries · 12/12/2021 18:39

I would speak to out of hrs GP.
Do you have a pulse and O2 monitor? If so ... What are the readings? If not... do you know anyone who could drop one at door ?

Original poster

changingstages · 12/12/2021 18:52

@Covidworries

I would speak to out of hrs GP. Do you have a pulse and O2 monitor? If so ... What are the readings? If not... do you know anyone who could drop one at door ?

I do have one... somewhere! I bought it right at the start of all this and have put it somewhere safe, obviously. Do they work on children? I'll find it...

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CovidMakesThingsHarder · 12/12/2021 18:55

Yes they work on someone your daughters age. I would definitely speak to 111, she might be seen by the out of hours Gp and then sent to paeds rather than A&E

Hizz · 12/12/2021 18:56

I'd be very surprised if a GP would see a covid positive patient? However they may offer telephone advice.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 12/12/2021 18:59

O2 monitor is very useful with covid so do that and you can decide how urgently you need help!

Original poster

changingstages · 12/12/2021 19:00

@Hizz

I'd be very surprised if a GP would see a covid positive patient? However they may offer telephone advice.

ah now that's a good point... our GP surgery is brilliant but we haven't had to deal with this before...

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NeedAHoliday2021 · 12/12/2021 19:00

@Hizz they will but would wear appropriate ppe - ffp3 mask.

Prescottdanni123 · 12/12/2021 19:08

Out of hours GP is a good idea. They may not be willing to see her as she is covid positive but they would probably give advice over the phone or video consultation etc.

Hizz · 12/12/2021 19:13

[quote NeedAHoliday2021]@Hizz they will but would wear appropriate ppe - ffp3 mask.[/quote]
When I contacted my GP about covid I was met with " we don't do covid, call an ambulance if you need it". This was from the nurse practitioner as I wasn't allowed to speak to a doctor.

I did end up in hospital a few days later which might have been avoided if I had been given advice by a doctor who knew my medical history.

IWishTheBishopWell · 12/12/2021 19:13

When I had Covid my GP, 111 and my area's Covid Monitoring Service all told me there are services for Covid patients to be seen and assessed for things like chest infections during their isolation periods. Someone will see her if she needs to be seen.

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