Question 1

i have a sore throat for a few days now. don't know what it could be? last wednesday i felt a scratchy sensation in my throat. didn't think too much of it. woke up thursday morning coughing up dark brown phlegm with a sore throat. it's been five days now

Accepted Answer

Many : Many sore throats will last 7-10 days.  Viral infections will resolve on their own.  Bacterial infections may need an antibiotic00strep throat needs an antibiotic or there may be risk of complications down the road (kidney, heart).  Given your smoking history, i would not wait much longer than that before getting a full  evaluation.  You are at an increased risk of oral/throat/larynx cancer.

Question 2

just coughed up some dark brown/grey phlegm - quit weed 2 weeks ago & had 1st cig in 3 days today, how worried should i be?

Accepted Answer

Exam: You will need a physical exam and possibly a chest xray with probable antibiotic therapy

Question 3

i am experiencing chronic cough with bright yellow phlegm or mucus. the mucus has changed from dark brown/black to yellow. i'm an ex smoker of 1 year?

Accepted Answer

Chronic bronchitis?: Congratulations on stopping smoking. But don't expect overnight recovery of your lungs and bronchial tree:  it takes up to 5 years to recover from the effects of tobacco smoke. At only 1 year, you remain susceptible to bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. Less dark color of sputum usually is a good sign. But for sure check with your doctor and follow her advice. Good luck!

Question 4

fever 102+ horrible cough dark yellowish brownish hard phlegm. headaches chills sleeplessness congestion. for about a week. please help?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: See your doctor and be careful not to spread this to others or yourself in the future. Drink lots of water, rest  and eat nutritious small bits whenever you can. Follow doctors advice once you are seen. I hope you feel better soon.

Question 5

43 year old male coughing for 2 weeks & recurring fever for 1 week. dr diagnosed viral infection. gave 2 injections, antihistamines, cough syrup. today phlegm is dark brown & no change in cough or fever. joints are sore, weakness, dizzy, nose blocked?

Accepted Answer

Further evaluation: In my opinion, if any viral infection least more than 7 days, always need to rule out any bacterial coinfection, also clinically there isn't any improvement of the physical condition, therefore the initial diagnosis may be wrong or need to be review. It's important to take care of the early phases because of the time only worseness any condition. Get some lab tests and even a chest x-ray.

Question 6

cough with dark phlegm?

Accepted Answer

Cough: Dark phlegm: This sounds like bronchitis or a cold or pneumonia. Sometimes when we cough a lot of violently we break small blood vessels and blood can get on or into the mucous. 

As long as you are not freely bleeding this is considered routine and normal.

Question 7

when i wake up i have to hack up some phlegm.  ( very little) it is brown in color. i am 38 f. former smoker. i don't have a cough. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

See your doctor: Clearing mucus in the morning after sleeping flat all night is very common but most of the time there should not be a brown color to it. The source could be a number of places but as an ex-smoker it should be checked out. Sinuses can also be a source. You might need a chest xray but see your doctor.

Question 8

i have copd when i cough there is dark specks in the "phlegm" what is it?

Accepted Answer

Dark specks might: indicate the presence of blood. It is highly recommended you ask you doctor for a chest X-ray

Question 9

why do i cough up dark specs in my phlegm.

Accepted Answer

Depends: Dark specs may be blood but may be other. If blood can be coming from back of nose or sinuses, but may be coming from lungs. Blood is concerning when not where it should be, although there is less genral concern when from sinuses. The specifics of the dark spots and their origin needs to be determined. Strongly recommend evaluation by phsyician.

Question 10

some mornings i wake up and hack up some yellow/brown phlegm. its usually when i first wake up. i don't have a cough or feel sick. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Maybe postnasal drip: Mild nasal allergies can cause some muscus dripping in back of throat/mouth and collects there during sleep and can turn a bit brown in the am. During day, little mucus/drip is pulled down by gravity, but when sleeping mucus tends to stay in back of throat and thus productive coughing/coughing in the early am. If worsens, call doc for eval. Good luck.

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Doctor answers about:

Coughing up dark brown phlegm

A member asked:

I have a sore throat for a few days now. don't know what it could be? last wednesday i felt a scratchy sensation in my throat. didn't think too much of it. woke up thursday morning coughing up dark brown phlegm with a sore throat. it's been five days now

A member asked:

Just coughed up some dark brown/grey phlegm - quit weed 2 weeks ago & had 1st cig in 3 days today, how worried should i be?

A member asked:

I am experiencing chronic cough with bright yellow phlegm or mucus. the mucus has changed from dark brown/black to yellow. i'm an ex smoker of 1 year?

A member asked:

Fever 102+ horrible cough dark yellowish brownish hard phlegm. headaches chills sleeplessness congestion. for about a week. please help?

A member asked:

43 year old male coughing for 2 weeks & recurring fever for 1 week. dr diagnosed viral infection. gave 2 injections, antihistamines, cough syrup. today phlegm is dark brown & no change in cough or fever. joints are sore, weakness, dizzy, nose blocked?

A member asked:

Cough with dark phlegm?

A member asked:

When i wake up i have to hack up some phlegm. ( very little) it is brown in color. i am 38 f. former smoker. i don't have a cough. is this normal?

A member asked:

I have copd when i cough there is dark specks in the "phlegm" what is it?

A member asked:

Why do i cough up dark specs in my phlegm.

A member asked:

Some mornings i wake up and hack up some yellow/brown phlegm. its usually when i first wake up. i don't have a cough or feel sick. is this normal?

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