Hi Sue,

Thank you for your generous time and questions! I have been quite ill over the past few weeks with a flu bug and was feeling quite depressed because I wasn't sure if my symptoms were permanent due to bronchiectasis or temporary due to the flu. Luckily, the worst of it was cleared up with azithromycin. But I now realize that bronchiectasis makes flu symptoms so much worse! I need to protect myself, so I've been wearing a mask when visiting my grandkids, which makes me sad because they can't see me smile.

My most recent CT scan showed improvement based on the aspergillus medications, but the tree-in-bud nodules (I think these are hallmarks of bronchiectasis?) were unchanged. There was a new area of consolidation in my lung but they think that was due to this recent exacerbation.

So far, no one has said that I have MAC, MAI, or pseudomonas. Would a blood test reveal those conditions? What symptoms should I be on the lookout for, and what can I do to protect myself from these additional issues?