Coughing up blood (hemoptysis) can have many causes, from infections to lung cancer. Learn how to diagnose and treat this symptom and when to call a healthcare provider. Blood in The Cough - This blog post will explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for coughing up blood . Coughing up blood, medically known as hemoptysis, involves coughing or spitting up blood or blood-streaked mucus from your respiratory tract.