Water and Ice Safety with Bronchiectasis
Do you ever laugh at yourself for not seeing the whole picture? I sure do. I remember hearing that some people with bronchiectasis and NTM are told not to drink tap water.
I thought the issue was simply the bacteria in the water itself.
I had no idea that the real concern was how those bacteria could be aspirated into the lungs through reflux. That was a true deer-in-the-headlights moment for me.
At first, I handled the issue by boiling pot after pot of water. Then I moved on to buying jugs of bottled water, which took up precious real estate in our one-bedroom apartment. Eventually, I settled on the LifeStraw pitcher, which felt like a better long-term fit.
But what never crossed my mind was that the same concerns applied to ice. Ice trays, built-in refrigerator ice makers, and even refrigerator filters can harbor bacteria and biofilm.
Once I learned that, things clicked. Now I am much more cautious with ice, and when I visit my daughters, I skip the built-in ice and water dispensers. In restaurants, I rarely order drinks that come from taps, and I avoid water coolers because they can develop internal biofilm.
Looking back, I realize I probably was not ready to understand everything all at once. I needed the information to build slowly over time. And that is perfectly okay.
Sometimes it really can feel like too much until we baby-step our way into new habits.
Want to Learn More about Bronchiectasis?
The BE CLEAR® Guide to Bronchiectasis is designed to help you understand and manage your chronic lung condition at your own pace. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking to strengthen your daily routine, the guide offers expert-informed content, practical suggestions, and compassionate support every step of the way.
