jweisser.….. My bronchiectasis was diagnosed from a cat scan of lungs and confirmed with sputum test. The sputum test tells which bacteria is there at the time and therefore, they know which antibiotic to prescribe. When the bacteria is killed, you still have bronchiectasis because that is the condition of your lungs but you will not be ill when the infection is gone. (My experience). I continue to have flares -- often at first but as time as gone on the flares are now months apart instead of weeks. If you can get to a Mayo's anywhere, it will be your best bet. We drove 10 hours to get there and worth every mile of the trip. The pulmonologist there to whom I was assigned is Dr. Moua (Rochester)…… he continues to keep track of me. I can write him a note any time or call him. I just write because he is very busy. He answers right away. I send him results of sputum tests done at a local lab and he prescribes from that. I've never had to go back to see him. I have medicare and blue cross/blue shield and I've never paid a penny for anything. There are no charges for his continuous care. It's a great place. I can't say enough good. I was very ill when I went -- very hard coughing night and day with no let-up. I'm so grateful.