What to do if…
you cough up blood or see blood in your mucus

What to do now

1. Check for emergency signs.
   Call 911 now if:

   • you are coughing up a lot of blood
   • the bleeding will not stop
   • you have severe shortness of breath
   • you feel faint, rapidly worse, or unable to get to emergency care safely

   Go to the ER now, or call 911 instead if you need emergency assistance, if:

   • you have coughed up more than a few teaspoons of blood
   • you have chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fever

2. Sit down and note what you can see.
   Avoid exertion while you arrange care. If a tissue or container is already available, use it so you can tell the healthcare professional whether it was a streak, a larger amount, or repeated bleeding.

3. Check whether the blood may be coming from somewhere else.
   Look for a nosebleed or bleeding from your gums or mouth. If you are vomiting blood, or the material looks dark and coffee-ground-like, go to the ER now or call 911 if you need emergency assistance.

4. Contact care promptly even if it was a small streak.
   If you feel stable and the amount was small, contact your primary care office, urgent care, or another healthcare professional promptly. Go to the ER if the bleeding continues, increases, or you develop warning symptoms.

5. Share the details that help with triage.
   Note when it started, whether it happened once or repeatedly, the estimated amount, and the color. Mention fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, recent illness, a recent nosebleed, and any blood-thinner medicine.

6. Bring your medication information if you are being seen.
   Bring or show a list of medicines, especially blood thinners, along with allergies and important medical conditions. Ask someone else to drive if you do not feel safe to drive yourself.