Approximately three people in every 100,000 develop infections caused by Nontuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM). NTM are widespread organisms that typically live in water (including tap water treated with chlorine) and food sources. NTM can infect the human body without showing any adverse signs. For example, millions of people around the world are infected with tuberculosis but will never know it because they will not develop symptoms. Mycobacterial infections are notoriously difficult to treat. The organisms are hardy and can survive long exposure to antibiotics, which leads to antibiotic resistance. Most mycobacteria are susceptible to clarithromycin and rifamycin, but antibiotic-resistant strains are known to exist. Since NTM is rare and misdiagnosis is common, early and correct diagnosis is critical to a patient’s ability to fight this disease.