Exacerbations - how long do they last and can they be viral?

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The title says it all really. I have bronchiectasis but I've not had a chronic cough until now. As I await confirmation or otherwise that it's due to Bx, I thought I'd try to understand whether a mildly productive (clear sputum) chronic cough for 7 weeks and not responding to antibiotics (nagging back ache also) could still be an 'exacerbation'. Your experiences and wisdom would be much appreciated.

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  • Posted

    CT Scan now done and so the waiting game begins. They said I'll be contacted in 7-10 days. Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious!

  • Posted

    Hi Dave with having young children we do tend to catch infections/virus more ofter, do try and stay positive and healthy. hope your ok keep me posted if possible. jeine

    • Posted

      I have never has a viral chest infection last 2 months+, but it would be wonderful if that turned out to be the explanation.

      This is the time of year when my girls don't have colds (I hope), but you are right in that they often bring more home from nursery than just their artwork!

  • Posted

    The CT confirmed 'mild' bronchiectasis and the small area of atelectasis. Reassuring from one point if view (no malignancy found), but the continuing (and slightly worsening) productive cough is starting to worry me.

    The soonest I can see the specialist is 22nd October so I've been proactive and given a sputum sample to the GP to get it tested. I'm hoping that, despite the sputum being clear/frothy, they pinpoint a manageable bacteria and I can get this treated with antibiotics. The rales/wheeze at night is worse and my nose it either blocked or running all the time.

    Do others also have nasal symptoms, is this normal?

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