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Hidden Lung Infection Affects Millions: Focusing on Awareness This World NTM Day

As the world gears up for World NTM Day on August 4, 2025, NTM Info & Research (NTMir) is urging everyone—patients, healthcare providers, caregivers, and policymakers—to pay attention to non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. This growing yet underrecognized threat to respiratory health is one that calls for urgent action and increased awareness.

NTM lung disease is caused by environmental bacteria found in water and soil. Although many individuals are exposed to these bacteria, those with pre-existing lung conditions, particularly bronchiectasis, are at a heightened risk of infection. Worryingly, recent data indicates that NTM cases are escalating by over 8.2% annually, especially among women aged 65 and older and individuals suffering from chronic lung diseases. This alarming trend reveals that the economic burden per patient can exceed $30,000 annually, underscoring the devastating impact of delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options.

Amy Leitman, JD, president of NTMir, states, "NTM lung disease is among the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions we see today. It not only threatens lives but disrupts them. The sooner we recognize the symptoms, the greater the chances we have of preventing severe lung damage and improving patient outcomes."

Most individuals diagnosed with NTM also suffer from bronchiectasis, a condition that leads to permanent damage to the airways. Together, these diseases can create a troubling cycle of recurrent infections, reduced lung function, and years of missed opportunities for adequate care.

"We want to empower individuals to listen to their lungs," Leitman asserts. "If someone experiences a persistent cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, or unexplained weight loss, they should not wait. It’s essential to ask their doctor if NTM could be the cause."

World NTM Day: Amplifying Voices, Inspiring Action

This year’s theme, Recognize. Respond. Rise Together, emphasizes the critical need for:

• - Early Diagnosis: Enhanced screening protocols to identify cases quickly.
• - Patient Education: Engaging the community in the knowledge of risks and symptoms.
• - Research Investment: Supporting innovation to develop more effective and accessible treatments.

To this end, NTMir continues its efforts to:

• - Provide comprehensive educational resources on diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing clinical research.
• - Support a global network of patients and caregivers through online communities and local support groups.
• - Advocate for increased research funding and policy changes to address the unmet needs of the NTM community.

Visit www.WorldNTMDay.org for patient stories, educational tools, clinical trial information, and ways to get involved.

How You Can Help

Here are ways individuals can contribute to the cause:

• - Understand the symptoms and risk factors by visiting World NTM Day website.
• - Share social media posts, videos, and infographics, using the hashtag #WorldNTMDay2025.
• - Join a support group or local event in your area.
• - Encourage healthcare providers to consider NTM in patients exhibiting unexplained respiratory symptoms.

Together, we can enhance outcomes, raise awareness, and amplify the voices of those living with NTM lung disease.

About NTM Info & Research (NTMir)

NTM Info & Research (NTMir) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established for patients suffering from non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. It is committed to patient support, medical education, and research initiatives. The organization provides resources to patients, healthcare providers, and researchers addressing both bronchiectasis and NTM, advocating for early diagnosis and improved treatment options. The mission is to give voice to the concerns of the community to officials and agencies guiding, researching, and regulating the therapies developed for treating these diseases. NTM Info & Research acknowledges the need for progress in educating and treating bronchiectasis.

About World NTM Day 2025

Celebrated annually on August 4, World NTM Day is a global awareness initiative spearheaded by NTM Info & Research (NTMir) to highlight the growing impact of non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease, a severe and often misunderstood condition that affects thousands each year. The 2025 theme, Recognize. Respond. Rise Together, emphasizes the urgent need for increased awareness, early detection, and empowering patients and providers. As NTM cases continue to rise and too many remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, World NTM Day calls on the global community to act—recognize the signs, support those affected, and promote research that brings hope for better outcomes.