Warning Signs Of Acute Chest Syndrome

Productive Cough

A productive cough can be best described as a cough that produces any form of fluid such as blood, mucus, or any other liquid. A productive cough is commonly seen in individuals with acute chest syndrome triggered by an underlying infection. Due to their weakened immune system, sickle cell anemia patients are more likely to contract frequent infections. When an individual's body contracts an infection of the respiratory tract, the immune system activates a mechanism in an attempt to trap and remove the infectious pathogen from the body. The immune system calls for the production of more mucus in the respiratory tract than it usually would. The purpose of the extra mucus is to trap the infection causing pathogen and expel it through coughing or respiratory spasms. A sickle cell anemia patient with acute chest syndrome is likely to present with a productive cough because the cough is a common complication caused by the infection that triggered acute chest syndrome.