Differential Diagnosis for Coughing up Blood
Single most likely diagnosis
- Chronic Bronchitis: This condition is a common cause of coughing up blood (hemoptysis) due to chronic inflammation and irritation of the bronchial tubes, often associated with smoking or long-term exposure to pollutants.
Other Likely diagnoses
- Pneumonia: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can cause inflammation of the lungs, leading to hemoptysis.
- Bronchiectasis: A condition characterized by damaged, dilated airways, which can result in chronic cough and hemoptysis.
- Lung Cancer: Tumors in the lungs can cause bleeding, leading to coughing up blood.
- Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial infection that can cause hemoptysis, especially in advanced stages.
Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed)
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE): A blood clot in the lungs can cause sudden, severe hemoptysis, and is a medical emergency.
- Aortic Aneurysm or Dissection: Although rare, these conditions can cause hemoptysis due to erosion of the aorta into the airways.
- Goodpasture Syndrome: A rare autoimmune disease that can cause bleeding in the lungs and kidneys.
Rare diagnoses
- Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that can cause chronic respiratory infections and hemoptysis.
- Wegener's Granulomatosis (Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis): A rare autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and bleeding in the lungs.
- Mitral Stenosis: A heart condition that can cause increased pressure in the lungs, leading to hemoptysis.
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): A rare congenital condition that can cause abnormal connections between blood vessels, leading to hemoptysis.