I am a 20 year old Japanese female, and lately, like the last few months, I've been having bad fits of coughing and trouble breathing. My lungs feel as though they are filled with some liquid, when I cough up anything it is like a bloody phlegm. I know that orientals are more suseptible to getting tuberculosis and my grandmother and uncle had it. Does this sound like what it may be? I have to admit I'm a little afraid of going to the doctor about it. Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
~Soji

Please Run don`t walk to your DR, or nearest TB clinic. It is nothing to play with. I don`t want to scare you or sound like an alarmist, but it is a very serious condition. Your DR with want to have chest xrays done, then they will put you on medication. It can be cured. Please don`t wait. Good luck and I will keep you in my prays and thoughts.

My wife is afraid to go to doctors. I'm afraid when I have to wait to see one.

You probably have some sort of infection, but it is possible that the blood is a result of your coughing fits and you may not have serious damage to your lungs. Either way, you need to get treated.