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@maryjanechilds The definition of MAC is mycobacterium AVIUM complex. Avium means birds. The good news I think for you is if I remember correctly when I was first diagnosed the doctors were more concerned about chickens, chicken coops, pigeons and the like. I think it’s that type of constant interaction where a person would be more likely to get MAC than from a bird feeder. Please don’t give up that beautiful part of your life. Bird feeders are lovely. Maybe wear a mask when changing the bird feeders would be a suggestion. I interacted with a pigeon as a child. My Penny’s cage was attached to my bedroom window so she could come and go as she pleased and be warm in the winter. My dad was an avid birder and bird photographer and felt no bird should be caged so he allowed me that one homing pigeon who even frequented my bedroom, and I held her a lot and did change her cage. Her band number was 2424. Where did I pull that from? 🙂 My aunt in Greenwich, New York had parakeets who flew all over her salon but went back to their cage whenever- open door policy:) except at night. Whether or not that’s where I got MAC is anyone’s guess. I came in contact with TB as a child somewhere as well so I’m told. Who knows. I never tested positive on a skin test so I think that’s questionable. Bird contact - feathers and whatnot are a source of MAC , but I’m going to go out on a limb and say don’t give up your bird feeders because there’s plenty of sources of MAC out there where certain people can find it - or it can find them. Irene5
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Gave me food for thought when I read "birds'.
While cleaning out a bird house I suddently thought to myself, you just breathed in some bad stuff. Dust etc. etc. ,,,,,,thought this as I was pulling out the birds nest to clean the house.
It was a few years ago and I was showing symptoms a good a few years before the final acknowledgement of my primary doctors decison to find out why I had lost so much weight in one year. He ordered the CScan 8/22/2022 and the result, as he held my hand,...Bronchiectasis. He is a caring doctor with an open mind however I believe he and doctors in general need to have a system that keeps a list and record of the concerns and symptoms you have been telling them during the long time period of telling them that something is wrong.... meaning the tool called a computer that could analyze all you have brought to their attention as time goes along. (Good luck with that intelligent use of computers 😁)
So, who truly knows if it was cleaning out the bird nest(s) from the bird house(s) or some of my other health problems that surfaced and were supposedly 'cured' along lifes journey. However, now that I know what can happen in living life and specifically dealing with nature and water, I do believe masks are in order, when logically can be used with good common sense, for many reasons.
I was diagnosed with MAC 1 1/2 years ago but have had respiratory issues as long as I can remember. We had both chickens and pigeons when I was a child and my job in the garden was helping to pull the weeds. Interesting to hear how all this may fit together. Prayers to all.
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Thank you Irene. Beautiful story of your growing up. Best to you.