Is MAC lung disease serious?

MAC infection is a serious condition that can cause damage to the lungs. MAC infection is not contagious. Common signs and symptoms of MAC lung disease include fatigue, chronic cough, shortness of breath, night sweats, coughing up blood and weight loss.

How does Mycobacterium avium complex affect the body?

MAC-associated lymphadenitis is a MAC infection that causes swelling of the lymph nodes, or small structures throughout the body that work as filters for harmful substances. MAC-associated lymphadenitis usually affects lymph nodes in the neck. This type is most common in young children.

Can MAC lung infection be cured?

A: MAC treatment may possibly “cure” the MAC infection. However, the damage already done to the lungs cannot be cured (bronchiectasis). The breathing tests (also called pulmonary function tests) are abnormal in most patients with bronchiectasis.

What are side effects of MAC?

The most common symptoms of MAC are persistent fevers plus night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness or worsening diarrhea. Symptoms of early disease often involve the gut: stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. Disseminated disease can lead to bone, brain or skin infections, or cause painful joints.

How long can you live with MAC disease?

Approximately 1 in 4 people with weakened immune systems who develop the cavitary type of MAC lung disease die within five years of the initial MAC lung disease diagnosis. Earlier detection and treatment drastically minimize the long term risks. Most people don’t get sick from MAC bacteria.

What is the life expectancy of someone with MAC lung disease?

The median survival time was 13.0 years (95 % CI 5.9–20.1) for pulmonary MAC but 4.6 years (95 % CI 3.4–5.9) for pulmonary other NTM.

What happens if you dont treat MAC?

Untreated patients can see an increase in bronchitis and pneumonia. Fibrocavitary disease. This is the more severe form of MAC lung disease. It requires more immediate treatment.

Should MAC be treated?

In general, antimycobacterial treatment of MAC should only be considered in patients who meet the clinical, radiographic, and microbiologic criteria for the diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection (table 1) [3]. (See “Diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the lungs”.)

How do I prevent my MAC from getting infected?

You can prevent MAC by starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) early and not allow your CD4 count to get low. If you have a low CD4 count and you get MAC, the infection can be treated, but you may need to take MAC drugs for a long time, until your CD4 count increases in response to ART.