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Maybe it’s as simple as NTM don’t infect healthy individuals, who have the ability to clear their lungs normally. Perhaps there is not sufficient time for them to take hold because they are cleared out. So while we can cough in someone’s face, that individual is exposed to NTM regularly in water and soil, so the person-to-person exposure is insignificant?
Replies to "Maybe it’s as simple as NTM don’t infect healthy individuals, who have the ability to clear..."
Yes, people with BE and other lung diseases cannot clear the lungs and hence, the load increases in our bodies. And what scoop described makes total sense in regard to repeated exposure. We hear these horrible statistics on recurrence/reinfection rates (my dr told me 50% for MABC), and I wonder how these rates are impacted when people take steps to minimize their NTM exposure along with daily ACT and exercise. as for getting NTM it from someone who is coughing nonstop on a plane, I think that's feasible. But, only for those of us that cannot clear our lungs like healthy lungs. I always wear a mask on airplanes.
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I'm talking about coughing on anybody, not just healthy people. My wife got MAC after sitting next to a hacking cougher on a plane, but they say not communicable.