Is bronchiectasis contagious?

Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

Updated on September 23, 2024

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Bronchiectasis is relatively common clinically and is caused by destruction of the bronchial wall due to various reasons, leading to abnormal dilation of the bronchi. Common symptoms include repeated coughing, coughing up phlegm, and even hemoptysis. It can be definitively stated that bronchiectasis itself is not contagious. Contact with a person with bronchiectasis will not result in contracting bronchiectasis. However, in some cases, care should be taken when coming into contact with bronchiectasis patients. For example, some cases of bronchiectasis are caused by pulmonary tuberculosis, known as tuberculous bronchiectasis. Since pulmonary tuberculosis is contagious, in this scenario, there is contagion. However, it is the tuberculosis that is contagious, not the bronchiectasis itself.

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Written by Zou Zhong Lan

Pulmonology

1min 6sec

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How is bronchiectasis treated?

The treatment of bronchiectasis mainly includes medical treatment and surgical treatment. Medical treatment primarily aims to control infection and promote the drainage of sputum. Antibiotics are crucial for controlling infections, initially based on empirical therapy. Adjustments can be made accordingly if results from sputum culture and drug sensitivity tests are available. Secondly, to promote sputum drainage, we can use postural drainage or mechanical vibration to expel sputum. Expectorant medications such as ambroxol and bromhexine, or nebulized inhalation therapy may also be utilized. Thirdly, bronchodilators can be used to relieve asthma symptoms and ease the patient's discomfort. If the patient has hemoptysis, hemostatic treatment should be provided. Surgical treatment is primarily considered for patients with localized bronchiectasis and when medical treatment is ineffective, in which case surgical resection may be considered.

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Written by Zou Zhong Lan

Pulmonology

45sec

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The manifestations of bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis refers to the destruction of bronchial wall tissues caused by chronic inflammation of the bronchi and surrounding lung tissues. The lumen undergoes irreversible dilation and deformation. Some patients have a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections, mainly presenting with chronic coughing and coughing up large amounts of thick sputum. Many patients have a history of repeated hemoptysis, although the amount of blood is usually small. There can be blood in the sputum or slight bleeding, and it can also manifest as a large amount of blood, potentially life-threatening. In the affected areas, fixed and persistent localized wet rales can be heard.

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Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

45sec

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How to check for bronchiectasis?

How to check for bronchiectasis: generally, corresponding physical examinations and laboratory tests are used for diagnosis. Early physical examinations may not show positive signs. When the condition is severe or secondary bacterial infection occurs, fixed and persistent moist rales can be heard in the affected areas. Some patients may show signs of oxygen deficiency, such as clubbing and cyanosis. During acute infections, routine blood tests will show increased white blood cell counts and neutrophil counts. Sputum examination may reveal elastic fibers and pus cells. A chest X-ray can show thickened and disordered lung periphery, and typical lesions may appear as honeycomb-like curly shadows.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

1min 51sec

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How long can one live with bronchiectasis?

This question is actually very difficult to answer because no doctor can predict exactly how long their patient will live. They can only provide a general prognosis of the disease. Bronchiectasis is relatively a benign condition. The prognosis for most patients depends mainly on the severity of the bronchiectasis and their comorbidities, among other factors. Generally, if a patient’s bronchiectasis is not very severe and mild, and does not affect lung function or is not compounded by other underlying diseases, they might experience long-term, recurrent coughing and sputum production, requiring long-term hospitalization. However, if they do not experience acute complications associated with bronchiectasis, such as asphyxiation caused by hemoptysis, then actually they can live for a long time. There are many patients who are in their seventies or eighties and frequently admitted to the hospital. When asked how long they have had bronchiectasis, their condition might span over forty or fifty years, or even longer. This means that patients with bronchiectasis can live for a long time, provided their condition is relatively stable and they don’t suffer from acute complications such as severe bleeding or asphyxiation. However, if the bronchiectasis is severe, or unfortunately, even if the bronchiectasis isn’t very severe, if a patient suffers from major hemoptysis, it can cause asphyxiation rapidly leading to death within minutes. Therefore, it is impossible for doctors to predict exactly how long each patient will live.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

53sec

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Is bronchiectasis contagious?

Bronchiectasis is relatively common clinically and is caused by destruction of the bronchial wall due to various reasons, leading to abnormal dilation of the bronchi. Common symptoms include repeated coughing, coughing up phlegm, and even hemoptysis. It can be definitively stated that bronchiectasis itself is not contagious. Contact with a person with bronchiectasis will not result in contracting bronchiectasis. However, in some cases, care should be taken when coming into contact with bronchiectasis patients. For example, some cases of bronchiectasis are caused by pulmonary tuberculosis, known as tuberculous bronchiectasis. Since pulmonary tuberculosis is contagious, in this scenario, there is contagion. However, it is the tuberculosis that is contagious, not the bronchiectasis itself.