Bronchiectasis primary prevention

Overview
Preventative treatment of bronchiectasis is aimed at preventing future development by monitoring potential bronchiectasis-inducing infections.

Prevention
In order to prevent future development of bronchiectasis, an x-ray of the chest should be taken after any severe attack of measles, whooping cough or other acute respiratory infection in childhood. While smoking has not been found to be a direct cause of bronchiectasis, it is certainly an irritant that all patients should avoid in order to prevent the development of infections (such as bronchitis) and further complications.

A healthy Body Mass Index, vaccination (especially against pneumonia and influenza) and regular doctor visits may have beneficial effects on the prevention of progressing bronchiectasis. The presence of hypoxemia, hypercapnia, dyspnea level and radiographic extent can greatly affect the mortality rate from this disease.