In response to your question of how nebulizing saline can help with a serious disease, many on this site use it and have been successful to keep from going on the antibiotic treatment. 7% saline is used. 3% is used by those who can’t tolerate 7% or are working their way up to using 7%. The benefit is twofold. First, nebulizing the saline loosens mucus so you can get it out better. The nasty NTM and other bacteria set in and grow in the mucus. Second, the saline helps make the lungs inhospitable to the bugs. You may never get rid of the infection but the nebulizing of 7% saline can keep the bacteria tamped down and keep you from getting worse. Those who don’t have symptoms or mild symptoms do this as part of the wait and watch. If you have serious symptoms or it is really affecting your quality of life, then it may be best to be treated.