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Select treatment area Bladder & Kidneys Blood Brain & nervous system Cancer Children's health Diabetes Digestive system Ear, nose & throat Eating & weight Eyes Fertility Heart and circulation Hormones Infections Lungs & breathing Men's health Mental health Mouth Muscles & bones Pregnancy & childbirth Sexual health Skin Sleep Staying healthy Travel health Women's health

It's hard to say what will happen to you. People vary a lot in terms of the symptoms they get. Bronchiectasis doesn't go away. But some people get more symptoms than others.

If you get a chest infection, it may make your symptoms worse for a few days or more. This is sometimes called an exacerbation. Most people get exacerbations once or twice a year. But if you have severe bronchiectasis, you could have six or more a year.

You'll need to have treatment for your chest infections. You can also have treatment to help you cough up the extra mucus in your lungs.

If you get your infections treated quickly, and can cough up mucus, you will probably be able to live with your condition quite normally.

Some people get very bad bronchiectasis. If your disease is very bad, it can be life-threatening in the long term, when you get older. This is because having difficulty breathing can put a strain on the rest of your body, including your heart.¹

But remember that everyone is an individual. No one can say what will happen to you for sure. And the better your disease is controlled, the better your chances are of living a normal life.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.