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Traveling with Bronchiectasis/NTM
Can you travel with Bronchiectasis/MAC/NTM? The experts say YES.
For a long time, Connect members have asked this question, and gotten all sorts of answers, mostly based on our collective personal opinions. This is what the experts say on the subject. These are questions individuals in the European Bronchiectasis Registry asked, which were formulated into a questionnaire and presented to a group of lung experts around the world (including Mayo Clinic):
https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erjor/5/4/00113-2019
The experts' responses say "YES" and outline precautions to take, even to some things I thought impossible like scuba diving. And even if on antibiotics or oxygen. These are the same things my docs stressed, and what I follow when traveling, including a recent 3 week camping trip through the US and Canada, followed by a 3 week air and land trip in Europe. I manages to stay healthy throughout both, as did my traveling companion who also has bronchiectasis. Our new Pari Rapid eFlow nebulizer got a real workout, and we had a ready supply of masks.
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@scoop thanks for the reply, Scoop. I did read a post that Consumer Reports had claimed that several Grownsy models did not reach a high enough temp for sterilization. Not sure what to so at present.
@wandafanda
If you’re boiling water in a kettle, it might be beneficial to use bottled spring water to boil. I’m sure I read that tap water, especially when travelling, would need to be boiled for at least 15 min to kill NTMs / bacteria.
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1 Reaction@jnmy & @wandafanda According to Dr Joe Falkinham, a noted NTM in water expert, his lab has tested bottled spring water, it contains little to no NTM and does NOT need to be boiled before use. Boiling tap for 10 minutes, plus one minute for every 1000 feet above sea level, is sufficient to kill NTM. There is no need to add the expense of purchasing bottled spring water to boil.
One exception, if you are using water to boil your nebulizer, Aerobika, etc, use then distilled water. Distilling removes dissolved salts and minerals in water that can deposit on your equipment. This is especially important with mesh nebulizers like the Pari eFlow Rapid.
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5 Reactions@johnwpatrick , I also read the consumer reports about the ratings. Based on its ratings I have bought HAUTURE Compact Bottle Sanitizer, highest rating. I have been using it when I travel for a year now. Based on Dr. Honda's recent presentation, 4 models they tested all reduced NTM, but HAUTURE was not included. I have sent her a note to ask if her lab will test it in the future.
Ling
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2 Reactions@johnwpatrick When I first used the Grownsy I measured the time/temp. While it did not stay as hot for as long as the Bololo (my home BBS) I recall it reached boiling temps for 9 minutes. Given your information about Consumer reports I will test it again. Thanks for calling that to my attention.
Adding that the main reason I purchased the Grownsy was its compactness for travel use.
@sueinmn Thanks Sue.
My comment was based on thinking that if someone was getting boiled tap water from a kitchen kettle at a hotel, it may not be boiled for 10 plus minutes by the staff.
If we’re boiling it on travel and are using a kettle, I guess we just keep boiling it for the required time. Easier to use a pot to boil, of course.
No need to boil spring water or water from something like a Lifestraw Go bottle.
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3 ReactionsHi Ling. I could not find a compact Hauture sterilzer. That is not one that specifically day it is compact. Czn you tell ne where i may find it? Thanks. Regards Marion
@muon,
The one I bought from Amazon last year, currently not available.
Baby Bottle Sterilizer | Esterilizador de Biberones, HAUTURE Compact Bottle Sanitizer, One Button Control Fast Sterilizer Electric Steam Bottle Sterilizer for Baby Bottles, Pacifiers, Pump Accessories
But the most recent rating from consumer reports is
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CGTPJSL
Ling
@wangling
Thank you. I can take a chance that this is not too big for travel.
Regards
Marion
@muon, I only use one layer, maybe that will help. But the weight seems to make a big difference between the two models. Let us know how you like it. I believe this is an upgraded version.
Ling