- Patients often present with recurrent pulmonary infections, including a chronic daily productive cough with mucopurulent sputum production.
- Diagnostic testing for a potential etiology of unexplained bronchiectasis should be performed.
- A sputum sample should be obtained during acute exacerbations and systemic antibiotics directed toward prior culture results should be administered.
- Daily airway clearance is essential for treatment success.
- Maintenance aerosolized antibiotics should be used for treatment of severe bronchiectasis or recurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
- Surgical therapy, including lung transplantation, should be considered for patients who continue to deteriorate despite optimal medical management.