@goddard MAC (mycobacterium avium complex) is an NTM (non-tuberculosis mycobacterium). There are over 170 different types of mycobacterium; tuberculosis is one and, believe it or not, leprosy is also one. The different types vary in contagion and their effect on us. Bronchiectasis is damage to the bronchial tubes. It can be idiopathic, (unknown cause), or caused by many things; such as GERD (gastric esophageal reflux disease), silent aspiration of gastric acid, constant bronchitis, pneumonia, inhaling something damaging, or you can be born with it. If you have bronchiectasis, as many of us on this forum do, it makes you susceptible to getting MAC and/or getting sick from it with varying symptoms; constant cough, fever, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats. When the infection is active, it also causes additional lung damage such as cavities in the lungs. It may also contribute to getting lung nodules. Lung nodules can also caused by any type of inflammation in the lungs; inhaling something irritating or hazardous, silent aspiration, GERD, etc. Some of us, with bronchiectasis and a diagnosis of MAC or MAI (mycobacterium avium intercellular), don’t have any other symptoms besides the cough. Some people take antibiotics for a long time to get rid of the NTM infections. Most of us inhale some percentage of hypertonic saline since studies have shown that it helps control the NTM infection. To my knowledge, there is no cure for bronchiectasis and it is progressive. You can slow the progression by daily lung clearance, exercise, good diet, but having it makes you susceptible to lung infections. So basically — NTMs, bronchiectasis, GERD, cavities, nodules, are all somewhat connected. There doesn’t seem to be a consensus as to which comes first or which causes what. Although I can explain it, (I think accurately), that doesn’t really mean I actually understand it. Lol. I hope this helps.
Gina