The main symptoms of bronchiectasis are:
a cough that does not go awaycoughing up a lot of phlegm (mucus) – the phlegm may be clear, white, yellow or greengetting frequent chest infections, where your symptoms get worse for a few days or weeks and you may feel generally unwellOther symptoms can include:
wheezingshortness of breathnoises when you breathe, such as crackling in your lungs, snoring sounds or high-pitched squeaksfeeling very tiredcoughing up bloodchest pain Information:Symptoms such as a cough or coughing up phlegm are common and can be caused by other conditions such as chest infections.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: you think you could he bronchiectasisyou've had a cough for more than 3 weeks Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example you're coughing up a lot of phlegm (mucus) every dayyou're coughing up a few small spots, flecks or streaks of blood, or there's blood in your phlegmyou feel short of breath, or more short of breath than usualyou've been diagnosed with bronchiectasis and you get symptoms of a chest infection, such as a high temperature or chest pain when you breathe or coughYou can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if: you're coughing up more than just a few spots or streaks of blood – this could be a sign of serious bleeding in your lungsyou he severe difficulty breathing – you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out Find your nearest A&E Information:Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
How bronchiectasis is diagnosedIf you he symptoms of bronchiectasis a GP will listen to your chest.
They may arrange some tests such as:
testing a sample of your phlegm (mucus) to check for an infectiona chest X-raya test where you breathe into a machine to check how well your lungs are working (spirometry test)blood testsIf these tests show you could he bronchiectasis, you'll be referred to a specialist for more tests such as a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.
You may also need other tests to find the cause.
Treatment for bronchiectasisBronchiectasis cannot usually be cured. The aim of treatment is to manage your symptoms and help stop them getting worse.
You'll be supported by a GP, nurse, physiotherapist, and sometimes a specialist doctor. You'll he check-ups and tests at least once a year. Your care team will work with you to develop a plan to help you manage your condition.
You may also need treatment for any conditions that he caused bronchiectasis.
Treatment to clear your chestYou'll see a specialist physiotherapist, who will teach you breathing techniques for clearing phlegm (mucus) from your lungs and airways. They may also recommend a hand-held device you breathe into that uses vibrations to help clear your chest.
You'll usually need to do these exercises every day. This helps to control your cough and reduce the risk of chest infections.
If your phlegm is difficult to cough up, your care team may recommend using a machine called a nebuliser to breathe in a salt solution before doing the exercises.
If you he problems with shortness of breath you may also be offered a course led by a physiotherapist, called pulmonary rehabilitation. This will include exercise classes and advice on managing your condition.
Medicines for bronchiectasisYou'll usually be asked to give your doctor a sample of phlegm when you're unwell or if your symptoms change. The sample will be checked for a chest infection, and if you he one you'll need to take antibiotics.
You may be given antibiotics to keep at home (a rescue pack) for when you get symptoms of a chest infection. Your care team will give you instructions on when to take them.
If you get more than 3 chest infections a year, a specialist may recommend you take antibiotics long term to help prevent them.
You may also be offered other medicines, such as inhalers to help your breathing.
Other treatmentsIf you he severe symptoms and medicines he not helped, you may be offered other treatments such as:
breathing in oxygen through a mask or tube (oxygen therapy)surgery to treat damage to your lungsa lung transplant Information: Find out moreAsthma and Lung UK: treatment for bronchiectasis Things you can do to help with bronchiectasisIf you he bronchiectasis there are things you can do to help with symptoms and reduce the risk of chest infections.
Doexercise regularly, to stay fit and help clear your lungs – your care team can give you exercise advice
eat a healthy, balanced diet and keep to a healthy weight – this can help with shortness of breath and preventing infections
wash your hands regularly, to help prevent infections
try to stay away from people with infections such as colds and flu
he regular vaccinations such as the flu vaccine every year, and the pneumococcal vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by your GP
Don’tdo not smoke – get help to quit smoking if you need it
Information: Find out moreAsthma and Lung UK: self-management for bronchiectasis How bronchiectasis affects your lifeBronchiectasis affects everyone differently. How it affects you depends on how severe your symptoms are and how often you get chest infections.
It's also common to he bronchiectasis together with another condition that affects your lungs, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Some people find their condition gets worse and they get breathing problems that can be serious and affect their daily life. In rare cases it can be life-threatening.
But some people he less severe symptoms that can be managed well with treatment.
Causes of bronchiectasisBronchiectasis happens when your airways are damaged by inflammation. They become wider than usual, and this causes phlegm (mucus) to build up. Too much phlegm can lead to chest infections.
There are many possible causes of damage to your airways, including:
a severe infection such as pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), measles, whooping cough or COVID-19another condition that affects your lungs such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)breathing in something that damages your lungsa problem with your immune systemconditions such as rheumatoid arthritisinflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's diseaseFor many people it's not clear what the cause is.
Help and support for bronchiectasisAs well as support from your healthcare team, you may find it helpful to get support from other people with bronchiectasis, either at a local support group or online.
There are also charities that can offer support and information about bronchiectasis.
Asthma and Lung UKInformation and support for anyone affected by lung conditions including bronchiectasis.
Website: www.asthmaandlung.org.ukHelpline: 0300 222 5800Asthma and Lung UK: support in your areaAsthma and Lung UK: living with a lung conditionPage last reviewed: 11 June 2025 Next review due: 11 June 2028