: Hi,my partner and I are skiing in Niseko, Japan for a week and he had been taking Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory pills for his back pain as a precaution for he broke his back over a decade ago. Everything was fine for a week and then 2 days ago, he started coughing out blood as he was on a chairlift going up the mountain. It was dark red and slowly easing into just light red as we skiied back to our lodge. He was then fine for like 4 hrs and as he went to bed and rolled over onto his side, he started coughing out more blood. We went to the hospital and did a x-ray and blood test and the results came back fine so the doctor just gave him some coagulate pills to stop the blood. Things were well the next day as we skiied but today, he started coughing blood again as he climbed a short section uphill on the mountain. He is 35yrs old, and maybe smokes a pack of cigarettes every 3 days. What do you think we should do and what might be the cause of this?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Your friend is having hemoptysis (blood in sputum). In the cold climate, possibility of pneumonia is more. And he is also a smoker. So pneumonia is the likely cause for his hemoptysis. So better to consult doctor and get done chest x-ray to confirm pneumonia. He will need antibiotics and other supportive treatment. Tell him to quit smoking as soon as possible.Don't worry, he will be alright. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your friend. Thanks.