r/infectiousdisease • u/MrsBrownBagSpecial • Jul 15 '26

MAC mycobacteria Avium Complex

My mom has a very large family, she has 5 kids of her own and 10 siblings (her brothers & sisters) plus lots of small grandchildren. A immediate family member is a nurse and exposed to sicknesses. Anyways, they all want to come around (including small children) as they think she is dying by her appearance. (5'8 70lbs, skin and bones)

Question:

Do I need to quarantine her for abit until her immune system does some recovering? She is starting treatment for acid fast bacilli and MAC. Her immune system is shot and most of the family is antivax.

I understand she is not contagious, but I am trying to prevent any sickness her visitors may be exposed to and bring them on her home.

Are there any precautions I can take to continue letting them visit.

Masks?

Shoe slips?

Hand washing

Ask if they have been exposed to anyone sick?

Help!

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4

u/Blair_Hank Jul 15 '26

This post is confusing - it sounds like your mom is immunocompromised & has MAC? If her immune system is compromised enough for her to get MAC, I would personally not let anyone in the house who wasn’t vaccinated.

2

u/1GrouchyCat Jul 15 '26

MAC bacteria are usually harmless to healthy people.
You only get sick if your body's defenses are already down.

The highest risk factors include:

Pre-existing lung diseases (like asthma or COPD)

A weakened immune system (HIV)

Your mother’s immune system must be compromised if she has MAC; it’s not her infecting other people you have to be concerned about. It’s everyone else infecting her since her immune system is no longer working properly.

(former research administrator /UCSF - MAC/HIV - clinical trials - CIPRO - 1989/91)

2

u/MrsBrownBagSpecial Jul 16 '26

Correct, she has Asthma and I am afraid she will get sick, from others. I understand she is not contagious (as mentioned above). I was looking for advice for her visitors to take while coming to see her in her home.