More Water Related Questions

@n4seth Hi, that is good news about your water being free of M avium. M gordonae is not a serious concern - see: https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/ntm-nontuberculous-mycobacteria/ntm-nontuberculous-mycobacteria-overview/types

Unless a person is severely immunocompromised, M gordonae is not considered a risk for human infection. In the course of my MAC journey, it has shown up in my cultures and the ID doc's reaction was "Don't worry - it's probably just contamination. M gordonae is even more ubiquitous than M avium."

Given what you have learned from the testing, I do not see any reason to be concerned about installing copper fittings/fixtures, additional filtration, or boiling drinking water. Remember that filters themselves, if not meticulously maintained, can themselves be a harbor for bacteria.

If I remember correctly, you have an appointment coming up - perhaps you can address these questions with your provider?
Sue

Hi Sue,
Thank you for taking time to respond. You made my day!!! I will definitely watch the NJH link and continue my NTM education. I have so many appointments coming up and I will be sure to ask. So far, I think my treatment is going as well as can be expected and I am thrilled about that too. I'm sure I will continue with more questions until I get this all under my belt. You rock as a mentor-thanks Sue. Nancy

@n4seth, you ask several questions in your post that have been discussed in the group. I thought you might appreciate this inventory of related discussions:

About Showers and Water Pipes
- Best Shower heads for MAC https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shower-heads/
- Practical questions about nebulizer, shower head filters & gargling https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/some-practical-questions/

Water, Bacteria and Testing
- Have you had your water tested? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/have-you-had-your-water-tested/
- Has anyone had their home water supply tested for MAC/NTM ? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-their-home-water-supply-tested-for-macntm/
- Hot water heat https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hot-water-heat/
- bacteria and water filter https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bacteria-and-water-filter/
- Water at freshwater lake https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/water-at-freshwater-lake/

Mycobacteria Gordonae
- Now Mycobacteria Gordonae in my culture too https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/now-mycobacteria-gordonae-in-my-culture-too/
- New to Mycobacterium Gordonae HELP needed https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-mycobacterium-gordonae-help-needed/

Prevention and Reinfection
- How To Prevent Re-Infection of MAC/MAI https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-prevent-re-infection-of-macmai/
- Possible causes of MAC/MAI Re-Infections https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/possible-causes-of-macmai-re-infections/
- So many questions: How do I clean our home to prevent reinfection? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/please-help-5/

What an incredible wealth of knowledge and insights in this group!

Thank you! This very much appreciated.... just when I think I have learned something there is more to know!

I use a copper shower head. I've read in several articles that copper helps to eradicate bacteria. Hence, one of the reasons hospitals use copper infused linens, which I do also. So, I felt it couldn't hurt. I also have copper plumbing throughout my house. I also disconnect my shower hose after a shower to release all the water from the spigot and hose. Let it dry out. Hope this helps. Toni

Hi Toni! I never knew that hospitals used copper infused linens. That is an interesting tidbit. I will Google and see how that process works. It sounds like you have a good thing going on there for your water system.

I would like to get my water tested there as well. Do you have an address for this laboratory??

FYI -- I've seen this mentioned elsewhere in this forum.
https://mytapscore.com/products/mycobacterium-water-test

Where did you find a copper shower head?! Is it copper inside and outside?

Special Pathogens Laboratory in Pittsburg.