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Precautions & Resources

Precautions, Reducing Exposure and Resources 

Vaccinations

Influenza (flu) can be serious for a patient with an NTM infection.2 Speak with your health care provider about flu and pneumonia vaccines.

Reducing Exposure To NTM

Tips to help reduce exposure to NTM include:8

  • Ensure plenty of ventilation in your bathroom
  • Clean your showerhead and faucets regularly to remove biofilm
  • Reduce your exposure to dusts from potting soil
  • When using a humidifier use sterilized water. Boil the water first for 10 minutes to kill NTM8,9

Additional Resources

Patients and Caregivers

Healthcare Providers

References

1. Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). (Last accessed February 23, 2024).

2. What is NTM? Bronchiectasis and NTM 360°. COPD Foundation. (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

3. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Infections. CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

4. Joseph O Falkinham. Environmental Sources of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. Clinics in Chest Medicine 2014;36(1):35-41.

5. Jyotsna Bhattacharya,  , et al. Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in Children. Pediatrics In Review 2019;40(4):179-190. 

6. Nutrition Guide. NTM Info & Research, Inc. (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

7. NTM Lung Disease Treatment. NTM Info & Research, Inc.  - Medications (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

8. NTM Lung Disease Treatment. NTM Info & Research, Inc. - Reducing Exposure (Last accessed January 17, 2024).

9. Joseph O Falkinham. Reducing Human Exposure to Mycobacterium avium. Annals of the American Thoracic Society 2013;10(4):378-382.

10. O'Donnell DE, Parker CM.  COPD exacerbations 3: Pathophysiology. Thorax 2006;61:354-361. 

11. Wolkove N,   et al.  Use of a Mucus Clearance Device Enhances the Bronchodilator Response in Patients With Stable COPD. CHEST 2002;121(3):702-707.

12. NTM Info & Research, Inc. (Last accessed January 17, 2024). 

13. NTM Info & Research, Inc. (Last accessed February 23, 2024).