Phlegm
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI

Reviewed By:

Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA

Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)

Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.

Eisaku Kamakura, MD

Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)

Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.

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Content updated on Mar 7, 2024

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How Ubie Can Help You

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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • Coughing up phlegm stained with blood

  • Coughing up phlegm

  • Blood stained phlegm

  • Bringing up mucus

  • Expelling mucus

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About the Symptom

Phlegm is a form of mucus produced in the lungs. You usually don't produce noticeable amounts of phlegm unless you have a cold or another underlying medical condition. Sputum is the term for phlegm that is coughed up.

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Repeated fever above 38 ℃

  • Peripheral cyanosis

  • Difficulty breathing / breathlessness

  • Respiratory wheeze

  • Fever

Possible Causes

Generally, Phlegm can be related to:

  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

    Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) results from abnormal growth of muscle cells, particularly in the lungs and lymph system. This can lead to the formation of holes or cysts in the lung and blockage or rupture of lymph vessels, causing lymph and fatty acid accumulation in the chest cavity. It is caused by gene mutations that produce proteins which cannot regulate cell growth and movement in the body.

  • Bronchiectasis

    A condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally wide. There are various causes, including infections, but sometimes the cause is unknown.

  • Acute / chronic tracheitis / bronchitis

    Inflammation of the airways, typically caused by flu viruses spreading to the airways. Symptoms include strong coughing, increased phlegm, fever, and tiredness. It is usually caused by viruses rather than bacteria.

  • Bacterial bronchitis
  • Lung cancer
  • Tracheomalacia
  • Cystic fibrosis (CF)

Related serious diseases

Sometimes, Phlegm may be related to these serious diseases:

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

  • Do you have phlegm?

  • Is there blood in your phlegm?

  • Do you have a cough?

  • Do you have a fever?

  • Is your throat sore?

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Find Similar Symptoms

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  • Cough

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Reviewed By:

Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA

Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)

Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.

Eisaku Kamakura, MD

Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)

Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.

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