Guidance
Terms used in this guideline
Acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis
An acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis is characterised by an acute deterioration of normal symptoms and signs usually over several days. It presents with worsening local symptoms (such as cough, increased sputum volume, change of sputum viscosity, or increased sputum purulence) with or without increased wheeze, breathlessness or haemoptysis. Fever or pleurisy may also be present (British Thoracic Society's 2010 guideline on non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis).
Bronchiectasis is defined as persistent or recurrent bronchial sepsis related to irreversibly damaged and dilated bronchi (British Thoracic Society's 2010 guideline on non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis).