1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Distilled water

Posted by lmh7 @lmh7, Dec 27, 2022

I have MAC and am wondering if I still need to boil my drinking water that comes out of my home water distiller since distilled water is basically the steam that comes off of water that is boiled?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 27, 2022

Well, distilled water is sterile as it comes out of the distiller. If you place it in sterilized bottles or jars & keep it tightly closed, it will remain sterile. If you simply wash the containers, they are not sterile so the water COULD become contaminated.

I know that there are organizations that recommend using only sterilized water, but my home water has no mycobacteria, and I do not have GERD (reflux) so I choose to skip this process. But I do sterilize my breathing equipment in boiling water weekly, because I figure it could get contaminated by touching & from the air.

Has someone suggested to you that distilling water is not enogh?
Sue

REPLY
3 replies
annagh | @annagh | Jan 2, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Well, distilled water is sterile as it comes out of the distiller. If you place it..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Well, distilled water is sterile as it comes out of the distiller. If you place it in sterilized bottles or jars & keep it tightly closed, it will remain sterile. If you simply wash the containers, they are not sterile so the water COULD become contaminated.

I know that there are organizations that recommend using only sterilized water, but my home water has no mycobacteria, and I do not have GERD (reflux) so I choose to skip this process. But I do sterilize my breathing equipment in boiling water weekly, because I figure it could get contaminated by touching & from the air.

Has someone suggested to you that distilling water is not enogh?
Sue

Jump to this post

How did you test your home? I have so many questions about what steps I need to take in my environment as I have just been diagnosed with MAC.
I was diagnosed bronchiectasis in 2015, but not tested for MAC until now. My pulmonologist is recommending the antibiotic treatment, but I am uncertain, because my CT scan hasn't changed much in 5 1/2 years. My cough had gotten quite bad, but after taking an antibiotic for H-influenza, I am back to my normal level of coughing, which is not unbearable. I am being more vigilant about airway clearing which is also helpful. Whether to treat or not is my biggest question, but either way, what changes do I need to make in life style to keep exposure risk down?
I've been reading a lot of posts, by the way, and am so appreciative of all this information. Thank you!

REPLY
tconz | @tconz | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Well, distilled water is sterile as it comes out of the distiller. If you place it..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Well, distilled water is sterile as it comes out of the distiller. If you place it in sterilized bottles or jars & keep it tightly closed, it will remain sterile. If you simply wash the containers, they are not sterile so the water COULD become contaminated.

I know that there are organizations that recommend using only sterilized water, but my home water has no mycobacteria, and I do not have GERD (reflux) so I choose to skip this process. But I do sterilize my breathing equipment in boiling water weekly, because I figure it could get contaminated by touching & from the air.

Has someone suggested to you that distilling water is not enogh?
Sue

Jump to this post

How can I get my home water checked for mycobacteria? What is the best way to sterilize glass jars or bottles for reuse on bottled water ( if simply washing is not enough). Also, after I boil the equipment do I lay it uncovered to dry and then place in a closed container (new to all of this and just want to do it correctly)? Any info is extremely helpful.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @tconz "How can I get my home water checked for mycobacteria? What is the best way to..." + (show)
@tconz

How can I get my home water checked for mycobacteria? What is the best way to sterilize glass jars or bottles for reuse on bottled water ( if simply washing is not enough). Also, after I boil the equipment do I lay it uncovered to dry and then place in a closed container (new to all of this and just want to do it correctly)? Any info is extremely helpful.

Jump to this post

I am not the right person to ask about this - here are some people who address water sterilization issues. Maybe @becleartoday @windwalker @bluesplashgirl or others can answer you.
Sue

REPLY
becleartoday | @becleartoday | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Well, distilled water is sterile as it comes out of the distiller. If you place it..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Well, distilled water is sterile as it comes out of the distiller. If you place it in sterilized bottles or jars & keep it tightly closed, it will remain sterile. If you simply wash the containers, they are not sterile so the water COULD become contaminated.

I know that there are organizations that recommend using only sterilized water, but my home water has no mycobacteria, and I do not have GERD (reflux) so I choose to skip this process. But I do sterilize my breathing equipment in boiling water weekly, because I figure it could get contaminated by touching & from the air.

Has someone suggested to you that distilling water is not enogh?
Sue

Jump to this post

Dr. Falkinham , an NTM water specialist, says distilled water is not sterile. Because as Sue said, the equipment isn’t sterile. However, one would think it has fewer NTM than tap water.

REPLY
1 reply
tconz | @tconz | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @becleartoday "Dr. Falkinham , an NTM water specialist, says distilled water is not sterile. Because as Sue..." + (show)
@becleartoday

Dr. Falkinham , an NTM water specialist, says distilled water is not sterile. Because as Sue said, the equipment isn’t sterile. However, one would think it has fewer NTM than tap water.

Jump to this post

Do you know how I can get my home water supply tested for mycobacteria?

REPLY
1 reply
BlueSplashGirl/ Carolyn | @bluesplashgirl | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @tconz "How can I get my home water checked for mycobacteria? What is the best way to..." + (show)
@tconz

How can I get my home water checked for mycobacteria? What is the best way to sterilize glass jars or bottles for reuse on bottled water ( if simply washing is not enough). Also, after I boil the equipment do I lay it uncovered to dry and then place in a closed container (new to all of this and just want to do it correctly)? Any info is extremely helpful.

Jump to this post

I used TapScore specifically for mycobacterium detection. Here is their link:
https://mytapscore.com/
It is expensive but couzld ease your mind.

REPLY
3 replies
becleartoday | @becleartoday | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @tconz "Do you know how I can get my home water supply tested for mycobacteria?" + (show)
@tconz

Do you know how I can get my home water supply tested for mycobacteria?

Jump to this post

No sorry I don’t.

REPLY
tconz | @tconz | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @bluesplashgirl "I used TapScore specifically for mycobacterium detection. Here is their link: https://mytapscore.com/ It is expensive but..." + (show)
@bluesplashgirl

I used TapScore specifically for mycobacterium detection. Here is their link:
https://mytapscore.com/
It is expensive but couzld ease your mind.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much!

REPLY
tconz | @tconz | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @bluesplashgirl "I used TapScore specifically for mycobacterium detection. Here is their link: https://mytapscore.com/ It is expensive but..." + (show)
@bluesplashgirl

I used TapScore specifically for mycobacterium detection. Here is their link:
https://mytapscore.com/
It is expensive but couzld ease your mind.

Jump to this post

I just went on the website and do you know if you tested for this one "Total Microbiology Test"?

REPLY
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