3. Cough – With or Without Blood in the Sputum
Cough with or without blood in the sputum can indeed be a symptom of Wegener’s granulomatosis, now known as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). GPA often involves the respiratory system, and lung symptoms can manifest in various ways, including:
- Persistent Cough: People with GPA may experience a chronic or persistent cough. This cough can be nonproductive (dry) or produce sputum (mucus) from the respiratory tract.
- Hemoptysis: Hemoptysis is characterized by coughing up blood or blood-streaked sputum. It occurs when the inflammation and damage to the blood vessels in the lungs result in bleeding. Hemoptysis can range from mild to severe and is a concerning symptom that requires immediate medical attention.
These respiratory symptoms are indicative of the lung involvement that can occur in GPA. Lung inflammation and damage are common in this condition, and they can lead to cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath, especially as the disease progresses.