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What is the effective treatment for MAC infection?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have been coughing for four months and recently started coughing up blood. I have lost about 15 pounds without trying and always feel exhausted. My regular doctor did an X-ray and mentioned something about a MAC infection, but I do not understand what that means. The antibiotics he gave me have not helped at all. I am worried because my mother had TB years ago – could this be related? Also, is it safe for me to continue going to my water aerobics class with this condition? The fatigue was so bad that I had to take leave from work.

Please help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Jain Tushar Pukharaj

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Tushar Jain is a Pulmonologist with extensive experience in diagnosing and managing respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, lung infections, and sleep-related breathing disorders. He also has clinical expertise in critical care, infectious diseases, allergy management, and internal medicine. With a patient-focused approach, Dr. Jain emphasizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and personalized care plans to improve breathing health and overall well-being. He regularly treats complex respiratory and critical-care cases and is committed to early intervention and preventive healthcare. Dr. Jain currently provides consultation and advanced lung-care services at his clinic, helping patients achieve better long-term respiratory health and quality of life.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

MAC lung disease is a lung infection caused by a group of bacteria called Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). MAC infections often occur in patients with a pre-existing pulmonary disease or those with depressed immunity. It is better to plan for basic tests. Could it be tuberculosis (TB)? We should test the sputum for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and perform a Gram stain. Please share the chest X-ray PA (posterior-anterior) view film for better guidance. Tests to consider include:

  1. Complete blood count (CBC).

  2. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

  3. C-reactive protein (CRP).

  4. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

It is better to avoid aerobics class until the reports come back.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At February 24, 2025
Reviewed At June 10, 2026

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Tushar Jain is a Pulmonologist with extensive experience in diagnosing and managing respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, lung infections, and sleep-related breathing disorders. He also has clinical expertise in critical care, infectious diseases, allergy management, and internal medicine. With a patient-focused approach, Dr. Jain emphasizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and personalized care plans to improve breathing health and overall well-being. He regularly treats complex respiratory and critical-care cases and is committed to early intervention and preventive healthcare. Dr. Jain currently provides consultation and advanced lung-care services at his clinic, helping patients achieve better long-term respiratory health and quality of life.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

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Dr. Jain Tushar Pukharaj

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Tushar Jain is a Pulmonologist with extensive experience in diagnosing and managing respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, lung infections, and sleep-related breathing disorders. He also has clinical expertise in critical care, infectious diseases, allergy management, and internal medicine. With a patient-focused approach, Dr. Jain emphasizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and personalized care plans to improve breathing health and overall well-being. He regularly treats complex respiratory and critical-care cases and is committed to early intervention and preventive healthcare. Dr. Jain currently provides consultation and advanced lung-care services at his clinic, helping patients achieve better long-term respiratory health and quality of life.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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