There is now a huge amount of information on Covid-19 and also an ever changing series of restrictions that need to be complied with. The best advice that this website can give is to consult NHS INFORM. The NHS has also set up a free coronavirus telephone helpline to provide general information 0800 028 2816. The helpline is open every day from 8am to 10pm
If you experience shortness of breath, feel unwell, have worsening symptoms or you can’t cope, please contact you NHS 24 on 111 or your GP.
Bronchiectasis: Managing Your Condition
It is important to look after yourself and manage your bronchiectasis well. Recommendations include:
- Know your usual symptoms
- Monitor your symptoms and any changes
- Take your medicines/inhalers regularly. If you would like to review your inhaler technique click here for videos on using your inhaler (this is Asthma UK but the inhaler devices are the same for Bronchiectasis)
- Perform regular chest physiotherapy once or twice per day. See section for Physiotherapy for videos on chest clearance techniques.
- Drink plenty of water and have a healthy diet
- Keep active / perform exercises
- Plan ahead for exacerbations e.g. stand-by antibiotics how you feel and there is are any changes
- Keep contact with friends and family
- Speak to people about how you feel
- Plan for possible self-isolation e.g. list of contacts that can help with food and medicine deliveries
Further information on managing bronchiectasis can be found In other sections of this website. Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) have also published an information leaflet called ‘What to do if you are living with a chest condition’.
Bronchiectasis clinics in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh during COVID-19
New patient and follow-up appointment are being changed to telephone reviews. We will try to contact you before your appointment, but this may not be always be possible. Please assume you have a telephone appointment unless you hear otherwise. Do not attend the hospital unless you have been specifically told to.
Whenever possible we will try to conduct a telephone appointment before or at the time of your original scheduled appointment. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 epidemic, this may sometimes not be possible, and you will be contacted at a later time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience.
Edinburgh University “Our Health Coronavirus Newsletter
The “Our Health” Team at Edinburgh University have recently started to produce a newsletter on coronavirus which concentrates on the research activity going on to understand the virus and help fight the disease. A link to the newsletter is available here. There are plans for regular updates and these will be included in when they become available.
Last updated: 19 May 2020