CT scan shows pneumonia -but I have no symptoms

@pattyayarns you must have had some symptoms, even if mild, for your doctor to have ordered a CT scan. I think a CT scan can be pretty accurate so yes, it is very likely that you have what is known as silent pneumonia or walking pneumonia. Here is what I found about it.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15744-pneumonia-atypical-walking-pneumonia

@rashida thanks so much actually my CT scan was only scheduled as a check up on my bronchiectasis

My Pulmo told me that Bronchiectasis appears similar to Pneumonia on CT or something like that. I do not remember exactly what he said but the gist was that both cast a shadow or some such thing. So maybe your results were mis read?

@pattysyarns Maybe? The CT scan shows what physical characteristics are present in your lungs at a point in time. It is one tool used by your doctor in making a diagnosis, but does not stand alone. Lungs damaged by previous infections, bronchiectasis, asthma or other lung diseases often appear different than healthy lungs in a scan.

What else did the scan results say? Any mention of opacities (sometimes called ground glass opacities), nodules, or cavities which can be other evidence of infection?

What else do they use? The results of a physical exam, your medical history, and other symptoms.

This is a good time to talk about the "downside" of learning test results on the patient portal, and not directly from the treating doctor. Radiologists (and sometimes now AI) simply report what they see. It is up to the doctor to interpret the CT results based on your whole situation.

Can you call the doctor today for a full report, and what they want you to do next?

Thanks...and I am trying to stay calm as I feel totally fine and no symptoms. I do have a call into the doctor.

Before I knew that I had Bronchiectasis and MAC, I had a CT scan (for other reasons). My "regular" pulmonologist said it looked like pneumonia but he was puzzled since I didn't have any symptoms. As such, he doubted it was pneumonia so scheduled me for a bronchoscopy. That came back positive for MAC. I was then referred to a specialist. Thankfully, I'm under great care and doing well.

I don't want to alarm you - just want to say that your question is legitimate more than you know. If you don't have a BE/MAC specialist, you may want to find one?.?