Traveling with Bronchiectasis/NTM

Posted by Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn, Nov 6, 2025

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 9, 2025

In reply to @cholash "@sueinmn Where would one nebulize in the airport ? For me, nebulizing the sodium chloride solution..." + (show)

@cholash I have a small portable neb for travel, and have used it in the "family restroom" which often has a chair. I wash with dish soap and put it in a baggie.

NOTE: Unless I have an exacerbation, I soak & wash with Dawn after every use, but only boil weekly. I have always been able to find a place to do it when traveling.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 9, 2025

In reply to @cholash "Ho Sue. Did I see somewhere that you live in Tyler? If so, I’m coming from..." + (show)

@cholash No, I am a Minnesota resident.

cholash | @cholash | Dec 9, 2025

Thank you !

pacathy | @pacathy | Dec 10, 2025

In reply to @cholash "@pacathy do you have a link to this info ? I would love to read what..." + (show)

@cholash I didn’t see a link when I did a brief search and don’t have time for a deep dive (dau has broken leg-can’t drive kids, replacing furnace…).

I think it was about a year ago that info came out. It might have been from NTM-Ir. I don’t usually follow group, but know he participates there at times and believe someone shared the info and I visited the site. Start there.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 10, 2025

In reply to @pacathy "@cholash I didn’t see a link when I did a brief search and don’t have time..." + (show)

@pacathy & @cholash Here is the link - I had it bookmarked.
https://cdn.prod-carehubs.net/n1/748e8fe697af5de8/uploads/2024/08/Falkinham-aerobika-study-1.jpg
It was from a professional conference somewhere and all we got was the slide. I trust Dr F and his research, so I trust that his name would not appear first unless he saw it for himself.

What does it mean? Even if you submerge your equipment in "NTM enriched" water, not enough stick to grow an infectious amount in a petri dish in a week. So, if you clean your equipment with soap (releases soil/biofilm) after use and rinse it in filtered water, your risk is very low.

muon | @muon | Dec 10, 2025

In reply to @sueinmn "@cholash I have a small portable neb for travel, and have used it in the "family..." + (show)

@sueinmn to be specific on location in airport. I use lactation room

cholash | @cholash | Dec 10, 2025

In reply to @sueinmn "@pacathy & @cholash Here is the link - I had it bookmarked. https://cdn.prod-carehubs.net/n1/748e8fe697af5de8/uploads/2024/08/Falkinham-aerobika-study-1.jpg It was from..." + (show)

@sueinmn thank you so much !

amap2025 | @amap2025 | Dec 10, 2025

This is good info but is there more current info from a doctor. respiratory therapist or hospital?
Thank you

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 10, 2025

In reply to @amap2025 "This is good info but is there more current info from a doctor. respiratory therapist or..." + (show)

@amap2025 Which info are you referring to? Dr Joe Falkinham is a doctor who has dedicated his career to finding research based answers to studies of NTM.

amap2025 | @amap2025 | Dec 10, 2025

In reply to @sueinmn "@amap2025 Which info are you referring to? Dr Joe Falkinham is a doctor who has dedicated..." + (show)

@sueinmn Sorry Sue,
I am looking at sterilizing using vinegar or boiling or ???? at home and travelling.

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