I had a collapsed lung a week ago. i have a chest tube that is leaking a reddish liquid. what is it and is it normal?

Chest Tubes: Yes. That is their function. They keep the area pressurized and let any inflammatory fluid, like blood tinged body fluids, drain easily so that other complications do not develop. I would hope that your physician gave you some literature or other instructions on what to watch for.

Likely: Sounds like ur home and the leakage is around the tube site? In either case, some leakage is normal. Redness around the catheter site, increasing pain, shortness or breath, fever/chills are not normal and u need to call ur doc.