Stick to the medication, nebulisers and physio so that sputum is cleared off your chest before it can cause an infection. Exercise as much as you can and socialise, do not become isolated. Have the correct medication for your particular infection, a sputum sample should be sent off but you should take your rescue antibiotic and/or your steroids which is usually based on your last or your history of recent past infections straight away, do not wait for the result from the sputum sample.