I have heard from a number of people that they developed Bronchiectasis after a bout of pneumonia. In fact two people in my very town were diagnosed with mild Bronchiectasis after struggles with pneumonia. One of them said he just kept getting pneumonia or infections prior to finally seeing a pulmo who diagnosed the Bronchiectasis. So you have to wonder if the cart came before the horse or visa versa. In my case I had a very severe flu virus (chest cold) and the coughing up of mucus never stopped after that virus. I also had repeated chest colds prior to that. They do say that repeated pulmonary infection is one cause of Bronchiectasis. Perhaps my immune or D levels were low back then. If you only have little clear congestion you probably do not need saline. I have a great deal of congestion. But could the saline discourage MAC from developing? Or would the lack of mucus be enough to discourage one from contracting it? These would be good questions for your Dr. Or if anyone else reads this and has input on that please do so! I agree with your upbringing about medicines being partly poison! But sometimes it takes a thorn to remove a thorn.