Blood flecks in phlegm?

[Lillielle]

I know I'm probably being paranoid about this, but it worries me a little. Generally because when I get a respiratory illness of any kind, it lingers forever and is a living nightmare.

Anyways. For background info, I do have asthma and am prone to sinus infections. For the past couple of days, my throat has been sore. I haven't really had to cough, but I have had to clear my throat sometimes. It also feels like I have to...it's not coughing it up, but get up somehow phlegm. I don't know how to describe how that happens lol. Tonight, I noticed that there are little blood flecks in it. I doubt that it's anything too terribly serious, as it's not a lot [at least, as of now], but I'm wondering if it's something to be concerned about and monitor? I don't want to have to go to the doctor for being sick--as usually it ends up that I have a virus and "good luck with that!" basically--but I don't want to ignore it and not go at all if it turns out I should have now, instead of later when it's a real problem. Anyone else have this happen to them?

Oh, and I'm also having a little bit of shortness of breath, but I presume that's connected to my asthma?

[bsmsl]

Hi,
It sound to more like drainage from your sinuses.  Do you do sinus rinses regularly?  If you are not too congested that would be a good idea to help wash some of the gunk out of there so it doesn't drain and cause the symptoms you describe.  Guaifenesen is always good when mucous is involved.  

You certainly do need to monitor things closely.  Also, you should have an asthma action plan writen by you and your doctor.  The plan should include treating with rescue meds regularly (and around the clock) with any respiratory symptoms including sinus.  This is supposed to help prevent the asthma flare. If your asthma has already flared, it helps to reduce the duration.  

If symptoms persist or worsen see the doctor treating your asthma.

Take care and God bless.

[caregiver222]

The rupture of tiny blood vessels following heavy coughing or an episode of infection is not unusual. They generally heal and there is nothing to worry about. You are right about the lingering effects. Sometimes it takes weeks for things to "settle down". Meanwhile your life revolves around walking one block to the next leaning on mailboxes.

Use an expectorant, even if you don't seem to need it. Guanifesin, slow release. A thin film of mucus will cause lots of oxygen transfer problems. Oral prednisone has been misused and also makes one prone to bacterial lung infection, but on a short-term (a very short term - no more than five days), it seems to be very helpful in reducing the time that the lung returns to normal. Foradil (formoterol fumarate) can also be helpful until the lung "settles down", even if you don't use it 365 days a year.

As far as the "shortnress of breath" being linked to the asthma - probably, but not necessarily. Air hunger can be due to compensation for acidosis (generally from high glucose levels), as well as have a cardiac etiology.

Needless to say, you require an in-person evaluation from a pulmonologist.