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With MAC, do you use tap water to brush your teeth?
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Aug 23 11:47pm | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
Let me provide a short list, I'm sure others will add to it.
NTM Free water -
Yes -
Boiled 10 min plus 1 min for each 1000 feet above sea level. Store in sanitized containers
Bottled SPRING water (Many brands tested by Dr Joe Falkinham and found to be safe)
Water filtered through a .2 micron filter - either at the faucet or in a Life Straw bottle or similar
No -
Ordinary tap water unless you have it tested for NTM - applies to both wells and municipal water supplies
"Filtered" bottled water - you do not know what the source is, nor how it was filtered
Distilled water (Per Dr Falkinham, may not be bottled under sterile conditions)
Reverse Osmosis water
It seem the highest concern for having NTM free water is if you also have GERD and may aspirate reflux into your lungs. My ID doc told me, with no evidence of that, I need not be "as concerned." But everyone is different.
If anyone else would like to add to this list, I will make it a more complete document and add it to the NTM Resources Discussion.
Sue
Replies to "Let me provide a short list, I'm sure others will add to it. NTM Free water..."
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Most water testing companies (filtration companies) test for TBS but I was told all water on earth has some MAC and nothing is safe for the vulnerable without boiling. Distilled Water has been put thru reverse osmosis but that also doesn't kill NTM. The concern for having NTM free water (need for boiled water) is that people with lung problems are more susceptible to MAC. People who want to avoid getting the MAC, and avoid the antibiotics that come with it, usually want to be careful of their water and soil. If you want a test for MAC, that one test alone is about $500 and is only for that day. It could change the next day.