If you have bronchiectasis and get a chest infection, you'll need a course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria that are probably causing it. The sooner you start the antibiotics, the better. So it's important to go to your doctor as soon as you notice:

Your doctor will probably send a sample of sputum (mucus) to the laboratory to find out which type of bacteria is causing your infection, so you can get the right type of antibiotic.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Lavery K, Bradley JM, Elborn JS.
Bronchiectasis: challenges in diagnosis and management.
International Journal of Respiratory Care. 2005; 1: 92-98.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ Your doctor may also start your antibiotics before your mucus is tested, especially if they are pretty sure which bacteria it is.

If you or your child get a lot of chest infections, and you know when an infection is starting, your doctor may give you antibiotics to keep at home, so you can start the course right away.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Lavery K, Bradley JM, Elborn JS.
Bronchiectasis: challenges in diagnosis and management.
International Journal of Respiratory Care. 2005; 1: 92-98.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ But you should still go to the doctor to get the mucus tested, to check what bacteria you have. You might need a different antibiotic from usual.

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