[windsong]

I had never heard of this lung disease before, but heard on our news station(Missouri) that NTM harbors in humid, hot areas in the water pipes and when taking a shower, it gets airborne and can get into lungs of some people. We are planning a move to the FL Panhandle...are there any precautions a person should take due to this problem. News stated it was a problem in FL.

We are seniors with a few illnesses as it is and would appreciate any input on cautionary measures that anyone is aware of short of turning up the water heater to 145 degrees which would kill this bacteria according to what I've read, but that is hot, hot water.

However, no matter what, we are very excited on this upcoming move to this beautiful area of Fl.

Below is a site I found on NTM -

http://www.ntminfo.org/default_aspx/p/faqs.aspx

Thanks for any input.

[sunrico90]

Very interesting, read the article...great post windsong...

How did I get NTM?

There is some empirical evidence that NTM infection may occur by exposure to organisms in the environment such as our water or soil.

In a substantial percentage of cases, patients with NTM have some subtle underlying vulnerability that is either genetic or structural in nature. These underlying conditions can include cystic fibrosis, deficiency of a blood protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin, prior lung infection (including TB or histoplasmosis,a fungus common in the Midwest), prior inhalation of inorganic dust including silica, spillage of material from the mouth or stomach into the lungs, or cigarette-induced lung injury.

Other underlying conditions that may increase vulnerability to NTM infection include bronchiectasis, COPD, and emphysema. (See Glossary)

Doctors believe that some patients with these underlying lung conditions may become infected with NTM from inhalation of mycobacteria that become aerosolized when the patient showers in an enclosed shower stall or sits in an indoor hot tub.

For this reason, if you have an underlying condition that might make you susceptible to NTM infection, you may wish to speak to your doctor about the advisability of bathing in a tub rather than showering.

[windsong]

Thank you, sunrico90. I imagine just being aware is a good start. Still, we are looking forward to our upcoming move.

Thanks again.

[dreamofmonterey]

good post sunrico- love to get facts on this forum. Any ideas of how to check on local H2O standards? (regulations, etc.) I have heard incorporated city water is always better. In the country/mountains artesian wells are used- I sort of had a red flag with that. Guess I will have to research.


sunny