The two methods of diagnosing MAC, NTM, pseudomonas and other infections are a sputum culture, where you cough up mucus, spit I into cups (preferably on 3 different days) or a bronchoscopy (more invasive procedure.)

In either case, the specimen is grown in a lab for 7-14 days, and if infectious agents are identified, is is grown for 4-8 more weeks to determine exactly what the infectious agent is, and what drug can treat it.

Now it I time to see a pulmonologist who specializes in treating MAC and Bronchiectasis, to determine whether you have an ongoing infection and, more important, tomset you up with a treatment plan to help keep you as healthy as possible.

Let's start with this information about Bronchiectasis, and then please ask any questions you have:
https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Patient-or-Caregiver/Diagnostic-Testing-and-Evaluation