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Traveling with Bronchiectasis/NTM

Posted by Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn, Nov 6, 2025

Can you travel with Bronchiectasis/MAC/NTM? The experts say YES.

For a long time, Connect members have asked this question, and gotten all sorts of answers, mostly based on our collective personal opinions. This is what the experts say on the subject. These are questions individuals in the European Bronchiectasis Registry asked, which were formulated into a questionnaire and presented to a group of lung experts around the world (including Mayo Clinic):
https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erjor/5/4/00113-2019
The experts' responses say "YES" and outline precautions to take, even to some things I thought impossible like scuba diving. And even if on antibiotics or oxygen. These are the same things my docs stressed, and what I follow when traveling, including a recent 3 week camping trip through the US and Canada, followed by a 3 week air and land trip in Europe. I manages to stay healthy throughout both, as did my traveling companion who also has bronchiectasis. Our new Pari Rapid eFlow nebulizer got a real workout, and we had a ready supply of masks.

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

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scoop | @scoop | Nov 10, 2025
In reply to @wangling "@muon, The one I bought from Amazon last year, currently not available. Baby Bottle Sterilizer |..." + (show)
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@muon,
The one I bought from Amazon last year, currently not available.
Baby Bottle Sterilizer | Esterilizador de Biberones, HAUTURE Compact Bottle Sanitizer, One Button Control Fast Sterilizer Electric Steam Bottle Sterilizer for Baby Bottles, Pacifiers, Pump Accessories

But the most recent rating from consumer reports is
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CGTPJSL
Ling

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@wangling How long does the steam cycle run? Based on my research it's 8 minutes, which is the same as Grownsy. Not sure what Consumer reports methodology was.

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muon | @muon | Nov 10, 2025
In reply to @wangling "@muon, I only use one layer, maybe that will help. But the weight seems to make..." + (show)
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@muon, I only use one layer, maybe that will help. But the weight seems to make a big difference between the two models. Let us know how you like it. I believe this is an upgraded version.

Ling

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@wangling
Great, thank you again.

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@ling | @wangling | Nov 10, 2025
In reply to @scoop "@wangling How long does the steam cycle run? Based on my research it's 8 minutes, which..." + (show)
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@wangling How long does the steam cycle run? Based on my research it's 8 minutes, which is the same as Grownsy. Not sure what Consumer reports methodology was.

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@scoop, yes, it is 8 minutes cycle. The following from the consumer reports...
Temperature performance 5/5
Drying performance 5/5
The compact one doesn't have a drying feature though. This is from the updated current version review.

Ling

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muon | @muon | Nov 10, 2025

Hi, I just checked it out on Amazon. The review says too heavy for travel, regrettably.

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Nov 11, 2025
In reply to @sueinmn "@jnmy & @wandafanda According to Dr Joe Falkinham, a noted NTM in water expert, his lab..." + (show)
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@jnmy & @wandafanda According to Dr Joe Falkinham, a noted NTM in water expert, his lab has tested bottled spring water, it contains little to no NTM and does NOT need to be boiled before use. Boiling tap for 10 minutes, plus one minute for every 1000 feet above sea level, is sufficient to kill NTM. There is no need to add the expense of purchasing bottled spring water to boil.
One exception, if you are using water to boil your nebulizer, Aerobika, etc, use then distilled water. Distilling removes dissolved salts and minerals in water that can deposit on your equipment. This is especially important with mesh nebulizers like the Pari eFlow Rapid.

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@sueinmn Oh....had not thought of that "Distilling removes dissolved salts and minerals in water." Sue, I soak all in vinegar and water hoping it will dissolve the salts etc. I had not thought about the calcium in the boiled tap water and it being left, possibly, on the nebulizer parts. I will have to revisit what I have been doing.
Thanks
Barbara

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cholash | @cholash | Dec 8, 2025

Ho Sue. Did I see somewhere that you live in Tyler? If so, I’m coming from the DFW area for a consult , and wanted to know your thoughts on who I’ll be seeing .

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cholash | @cholash | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @pacathy "You can try it before you go to see if it rinses well. It should work...." + (show)
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You can try it before you go to see if it rinses well. It should work. I tried it once with my spacer and it was hard to get the smell out, but the aerobika is harder plastic and probably easier.
Keep in mind that Falkenham said nebulizers and Aerobikas don't easily grow MAC. I take comfort in that and figure if I clean it thoroughly (best I can) and store it covered in clean space to dry, odds are in my favor that it will be ok for a week or two.

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@pacathy do you have a link to this info ? I would love to read what all he said about this subject .

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cholash | @cholash | Dec 9, 2025

@sueinmn Where would one nebulize in the airport ? For me, nebulizing the sodium chloride solution is really loud( causes a lot of coughing ). I would clear out the terminal lol. Also , how would you then clean your nebulizer ? We are hoping to go on an African safari , so starting to try & think this all through.

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cholash | @cholash | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @sueinmn "@jnmy & @wandafanda According to Dr Joe Falkinham, a noted NTM in water expert, his lab..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@jnmy & @wandafanda According to Dr Joe Falkinham, a noted NTM in water expert, his lab has tested bottled spring water, it contains little to no NTM and does NOT need to be boiled before use. Boiling tap for 10 minutes, plus one minute for every 1000 feet above sea level, is sufficient to kill NTM. There is no need to add the expense of purchasing bottled spring water to boil.
One exception, if you are using water to boil your nebulizer, Aerobika, etc, use then distilled water. Distilling removes dissolved salts and minerals in water that can deposit on your equipment. This is especially important with mesh nebulizers like the Pari eFlow Rapid.

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@sueinmn I’m hitting you with a lot of questions ! I’ve been boiling my nebs for 5 yrs in tap water ! I had not considered the mineral build up. Thankfully , I have mild BE that’s stable . So , regarding distilled water, do you buy jugs & for cleaning ? I’m 64, but when older that could become a real burden. I read in another post that someone recommends monthly vinegar soak for the minerals . Your thoughts ?

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @cholash "@sueinmn I’m hitting you with a lot of questions ! I’ve been boiling my nebs for..." + (show)
Profile picture for cholash @cholash

@sueinmn I’m hitting you with a lot of questions ! I’ve been boiling my nebs for 5 yrs in tap water ! I had not considered the mineral build up. Thankfully , I have mild BE that’s stable . So , regarding distilled water, do you buy jugs & for cleaning ? I’m 64, but when older that could become a real burden. I read in another post that someone recommends monthly vinegar soak for the minerals . Your thoughts ?

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@cholash I have decided on distilled water for now to skip the vinegar soaks, but like you this could change. Those jugs feel heavier every year! I do cover and reuse my pan of distilled water a couple of times.

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