What does bloody sputum indicate?

Bloody sputum, also known as hemoptysis, specifically indicates that there is blood present in the sputum produced by the respiratory system. This can be a sign of various underlying conditions that affect the lungs or bronchi. Hemoptysis can result from irritation, inflammation, or damage to the airways, which may occur in conditions such as lung infections, bronchitis, or pulmonary embolism.

The reason this condition is important to recognize is that the presence of blood in sputum can signify a potentially serious health issue that may require immediate medical evaluation. In contrast, hematemesis refers to vomiting blood, which is unrelated to respiratory symptoms. While pneumonia and bronchitis can cause bloody sputum, they do not define what the symptom itself is; instead, hemoptysis directly describes the act of coughing up blood from the lungs.