I have what looks like little brown specs in my phlegm and painless bumps on the back of my tongue any idea what could be the cause?

Some possible causes: Some patients upload a photo for their medical records during a virtual consult. In general brown specs in phlegm can indicate a fungal infection or dried blood. The blood may have a source in the upper airway/mouth. If you have any respiratory distress, please see the ED, Your PCP can take a look at the phlegm also and send it for culture as indicated.