What are the symptoms of bronchiectasis?

A persistent cough may bring up mucus or phlegm, which can be clear, white, yellow or green. Breathlessness may be more noticeable with activity, and tiredness can accompany repeated infections. A flare-up may bring more coughing, a change in phlegm, fever, chest discomfort or increased breathlessness. Small streaks of blood can occur after forceful coughing, but any coughing up blood deserves clinical advice. Bronchiectasis symptoms overlap with asthma, chronic infection and other lung conditions, so the cause needs assessment.

Arrange a medical review for a cough that does not settle, regular phlegm, repeated chest infections or worsening exercise breathlessness. Note changes in phlegm, fever, chest pain and blood. Assessment may include lung-function testing such as spirometry, imaging such as a chest X-ray, and other tests chosen by the clinician. Follow your airway-clearance and prescribed treatment plan if bronchiectasis has already been diagnosed.

Seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, collapse, severe chest pain, or more than a small amount of blood when coughing. Urgent review is also needed when blood in phlegm is new or recurrent, particularly with fever or a marked change in breathing.

What could be causing my cough and phlegm? Do I need spirometry or chest imaging? How should I recognise a flare-up? Which airway-clearance technique is suitable? What amount of blood when coughing requires emergency help?