Bronchiectasis and diet

home hygiene: if you already have bronch. and MAC
why do you have to continue to protect by wearing a mask out of doors, sterilize water, etc. etc?

Also, if you leave your windows open for some fresh
air, should you mask indoors?

And toilets!!! precautions around this are overwhelming...

Hello, I hope I can help with your questions, but you must find a balance for yourself.

First, MAC exists everywhere, indoors, outdoors, in the air, in the soil, and in water. Unless you live in a sterile bubble you will always have some exposure. The art is in finding out how to live your best life while minimizing exposure.

As for when and whether to mask, here is my approach (others may differ)
I mask in crowds, especially indoors. I mask when I garden (actually disturbing soil or releasing dust into the air) and when walking outdoors in windy/dusty conditions. I do not mask in my home, but due to allergies and in an effort to minimize impurities, I use HEPA air filters in my house all the time, changing the filters as recommended.

As for sterilizing water, many people recommend it - I choose not to do it as I have a well and had the water tested (no MAC.) I do drink bottled spring water when not home, per the recommendation of Dr Falkinham, the expert on NTM in water. But I am about minimizing exposure, not completely eliminating it, so I don't worry about ice in my drinks when eating out.

I wash my neb, Aerobika, etc daily in soapy water, and sterilize weekly. This is important especially to avoid introducing any new and unwelcome bacteria or fungus to the lungs.

I'm not sure what you mean about toilets?
Sue

I would think that MAC and large numbers of other bacteria, virus, exist in feces, human and otherwise. Thus I am considering masking while having a bm and when cleaning the toilet.

Umm, what you drop into the toilet stays there until flushed - not floating in the air. But...flushing does release aerosols, so I always close the lid before I do it.

I'm not aware of any risk of infection from using or cleaning the toilet, as long as one keeps ones hands and face away from the water in the bowl.
Anyone else have an opinion on this matter?
Sue?

Cleaning with a brush can
occasionally dispense a lot of
aerosols....catboxes too. I'm
masking for those chores!

As I said earlier we must each find our own balance.

I've been cleaning toilets for over 60 year and learned at a very early age to avoid splashing and slopping because it stained the white tile, so I'm pretty careful and use a mop style cleaner, not a brush. Also I calculate my exposure as fewer than 10 minutes per week. so it's not a concern for me.

On the other hand, I mask when raking, using a blower and handling garden soil and mulch. I probably spend 8 hours a week or more doing that so I figure it is a high risk situation for me.
And I would definitely wear a mask if I was cleaning a cat box, but we're pet free.

By the way I have been off antibiotics for 3 1/2 years without reinfection.
Sue

As I said earlier we must each find our own balance.

I've been cleaning toilets for over 60 year and learned at a very early age to avoid splashing and slopping because it stained the white tile, so I'm pretty careful and use a mop style cleaner, not a brush. Also I calculate my exposure as fewer than 10 minutes per week. so it's not a concern for me.

On the other hand, I mask when raking, using a blower and handling garden soil and mulch. I probably spend 8 hours a week or more doing that so I figure it is a high risk situation for me.
And I would definitely wear a mask if I was cleaning a cat box, but we're pet free.

By the way I have been off antibiotics for 3 1/2 years without reinfection.
Sue

Hello, I hope I can help with your questions, but you must find a balance for yourself.

First, MAC exists everywhere, indoors, outdoors, in the air, in the soil, and in water. Unless you live in a sterile bubble you will always have some exposure. The art is in finding out how to live your best life while minimizing exposure.

As for when and whether to mask, here is my approach (others may differ)
I mask in crowds, especially indoors. I mask when I garden (actually disturbing soil or releasing dust into the air) and when walking outdoors in windy/dusty conditions. I do not mask in my home, but due to allergies and in an effort to minimize impurities, I use HEPA air filters in my house all the time, changing the filters as recommended.

As for sterilizing water, many people recommend it - I choose not to do it as I have a well and had the water tested (no MAC.) I do drink bottled spring water when not home, per the recommendation of Dr Falkinham, the expert on NTM in water. But I am about minimizing exposure, not completely eliminating it, so I don't worry about ice in my drinks when eating out.

I wash my neb, Aerobika, etc daily in soapy water, and sterilize weekly. This is important especially to avoid introducing any new and unwelcome bacteria or fungus to the lungs.

I'm not sure what you mean about toilets?
Sue