How did we get Mac?

Posted by britchic @britchic, 4 days ago

Has anyone ever been told how they got Mac? My id dr has never really given me any kind of answer and I’m curious if anyone else has had it explained to them?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

scoop | @scoop | 4 days ago

Dr. Falkinham attempts to answer this question and more in his paper on Reducing Exposure to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. You can read it here.

Shared files

Reducing Exposure to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (3) (Reducing-Exposure-to-Nontuberculous-Mycobacteria-3-1.pdf)

irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | 3 days ago

There is a body type for women that is “classic” MAC. Doctors always tell me I am classic MAC. That doesn’t mean if you aren’t that body type it won’t find you. For men I don’t know. I think there may be a genetic predisposition ( just my opinion), and I believe where you live - your environment is a contributor as well. If you have had pneumonia or lots of bronchitis you might end up with MAC. MAC is everywhere. Staph is on our skin but we aren’t all infected with it. It’s when we become infected with MAC that we run into a problem- or not! Doctors don’t always know so when it is found on a CT scan or otherwise a good doctor should refer us to an ID doctor . If that ID doctor is not skilled in MAC he/she should refer the patient to an ID doctor knowledgeable about MAC. Irene5

britchic | @britchic | 3 days ago

In reply to @irene5 "There is a body type for women that is “classic” MAC. Doctors always tell me I..." + (show)

Thank you

britchic | @britchic | 3 days ago

In reply to @irene5 "There is a body type for women that is “classic” MAC. Doctors always tell me I..." + (show)

Thank you

kate2025 | @kate2025 | 3 days ago

In reply to @britchic "Thank you" + (show)

Thank you

mariegrace | @mariegrace | 3 days ago

MAC is in water, air and soil.
Those of us who have BE are susceptible.
I think i acquired it in Florida. We spent 4 winters in St. Augustine renting condos. February was always cold so we had heat on. Dont know if the rented condos were cleaned thoroughly esp the heating and ac systems.
Or gardening. We live in nyc and had a weekend house in columbia county so did a lot of gardening and planting.
Marie

mb53 | @mb53 | 2 days ago

I just finished a year long MAC treatment with 3 antibiotics. Azithromycin, Rifampin & Ethambutol. Sputums are negative so not taking meds anymore. I understand that it could return☹️