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Input requested re: trip to Italy and cruise
I'm 72 with bronchiectasis for over 15 years, colonized with pseudomonas. I've thankfully been able to keep infections at bay for the past three years with nebulized antibiotics and following NJH protocols. Next week, we are traveling to Italy to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Four of the nights we will be staying in an Airbnb that has a saltwater pool. My son's family (3 teenagers) will be using the pool a lot. After that we will be going on a nine-night Mediterranean cruise. At one port, my son has rented a boat.
Two questions: One, would you be comfortable sitting by the outside pool, dangling your feet into the water while the teens splash around or would you sit farther away from the pool? Two, I am not taking a bathing suit because I do not plan on swimming in the sea. I've read Dr. Falkinham's opinion that saltwater pools are safer than fresh water and that oceans don't have the NTM risk as lakes. Am I being too conservative to not take a swimsuit? I'd like to create some great family memories, I just don't want to bring back a lung infection when I return home.
I realize that I am in an incredible position to have this opportunity. It's once in a lifetime trip. I want to be wise but not fearful. Thanks for your input!
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@pjas972j Take your swimsuit and enjoy your trip. please! Outdoor saltwater pools are low risk, mainly because any NTM or other pathogens are vastly diluted by the open air and the breeze. As Dr Falkinham has said repeatedly, NTM doesn't grow in the ocean. We regularly swim in the outdoor salt water community pool at our winter home, and in the Gulf of Mexico, and have never had any issue.
I would be more concerned and careful about exposure to random respiratory infections on planes and closed public transport. We traveled for 3 weeks in Slovenia and Italy last year, wearing masks to avoid infection. We thought we were "safe enough" but my husband acquired Covid from a passenger on our small-group tour bus. She knew she was sick, but came on the excursions anyway.
I would be inclined to be very careful to drink spring water oruse a LifeStraw for water on the cruise.
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1 Reaction@sueinmn Oh my: "acquired Covid from a passenger on our small-group tour bus. She knew she was sick, but came on the excursions anyway."
The other side of all that is often not realizing we/they are carrying something that hasn't yet manifested itself to know we or 'they' are sick. Such as: Asymptomatic or in the Incubation period. Therefore, for me and many of us, masking is so important in certain circumstances and hope for the best since nothing is absolutely perfect.
Barbara
@sueinmn Thanks for the encouragement! Things changed hours after I wrote this. Our 17 year old granddaughter was sitting behind a car, waiting to turn left, when another driver didn't see the two cars waiting to turn. He slammed into our granddaughter, who was then pushed into the car in front of her. Her wrist is broken and she requires surgery in the morning. If all goes well, the surgeon says she can still travel, but will obviously be keeping her cast dry. I will probably just keep her company beside the pool so she's not the only one who doesn't go into the water. We are thankful she is okay - it could have been so much worse! Thanking the Lord for His protection in the storm!
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1 ReactionJust returned from a trip to Italy that included a cruise around Italy and to Croatia. My Pulmonologist put me on a course of prednisone and gave me suckers made in their pharmacy to deal with coughing, especially on the airplane. They helped tremendously? There is a great deal of walking and stairs to see the sites and I should have brought my oxygen concentrator. I did bring my CPAP and portable nebulizer. (Viking supplied our cabin with distilled water daily.) Great trip. Use what you've learned.