Definition and evaluation of exacerbations A bronchiectasis exacerbation is defined as a patient with bronchiectasis with deterioration for at least 48 hours in ≥ 3 of the following symptoms (1): Breathlessness and / or exercise intolerance Cough Fatigue and / or malaise Hemoptysis Sputum purulence Sputum volume and / or consistency The degree of testing depends on the severity of the clinical presentation.