A suggestion, if you haven't tried doing the Autogenic Drainage while lying on your back, it's been very effective for me in being able to bring up mucus. It's the only way I've been able to produce enough mucus for the sputum culture tests. (Don't try it if you have reflux though.) My routine is to neb 7% saline, wait 15 minutes or so then do the Autogenic Drainage while lying on a bed. I often don't make it through the whole 2.5 minutes before I get results. I rarely use the Aerobika now as this method has been so effective for me. I also find that often 15 minutes or so after a meal (especially lunch), I'll have the urge to cough. If this happens when I'm home, I'll lie on my back and can produce sputum. I too worry about future infections and that there's bacteria out there to get me with any activity I do. It seems to help me to just focus on keeping my airway as clear as I can, getting vaccinated, doing what I can do to educate myself - webinars from NJH, this site, seeing the doctor. Then get on with life not just living. I have not had severe exacerbations though and have not been living with bronchiectasis for many years as a lot of people on this site have. I guess all any of us can do is try to stay informed, do what we can, and focus on making the most out of each and every day. As Dory from "Finding Nemo" says "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming." Hang in there.