Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
Good morning everyone,
Last 2 - 3 weeks, I have had a serious out of pneumonia. This morning, as I was cleaning my mask, I thought about sanitizing it.
I am asking what you consider the best way to do so. In addition, I would like to do the same thing with my heated hose.
With the heated hose, how do I clean and sanitize it as well?
Starlette
Last 2 - 3 weeks, I have had a serious out of pneumonia. This morning, as I was cleaning my mask, I thought about sanitizing it.
I am asking what you consider the best way to do so. In addition, I would like to do the same thing with my heated hose.
With the heated hose, how do I clean and sanitize it as well?
Starlette
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
Unless you sanitize everything else in your waking life, I'm not sure there's any point. And you will weaken your immune system by trying to do so in any case. A baby wipe will take care of anything on the mask and I wouldn't worry about the hose as the air only goes one way - from the machine to you, after first having gone through the filter at the back of the machine.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
- Okie bipap
- Posts: 3556
- Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 4:14 pm
- Location: Central Oklahoma
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
If it would give you peace of mind liberalize your equipment, you can soak everything in a diluted vinegar solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Soak items for 20 minutes and rinse well. This is the directions I was given by Mr DME when I first got my equipment. I follow this procedure after I have a bout of bronchitis.
_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Evora Full Face Mask - Fitpack |
Additional Comments: IPAP 20-25, ps 4, OSCAR software |
Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.
-
- Posts: 2744
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:42 pm
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
Since it is possible for pneumonia to be contagious for some period it may be good to clean and disinfect until you recover. I don't think you can sterilize effectively at home.
Control III or Respiclean are chemical disinfectants that you can use. Be sure to follow the directions and pay attention to the cautions. Acetic acid (vinegar) will work to some extent but under adverse conditions you may want to go with something a little more powerful.
In order to disinfect you first need to clean and then you need to have the chemical in contact with the part for some period of time. This usually involves some kind of soak. If you are not coughing or vomiting or experiencing excessive saliva drooling, your hose may not need any attention and you can just paying attention to your mask.
If you need to disinfect your hose just put the disinfectant solution into a bucket and soak the hose in it. At the end of the soak time you can dump the disinfectant solution and fill the bucket with a rinse solution and wiggle the hose in the bucket to rinse. Then pull it out and let it drain and air dry. Any small amount of moisture will quickly dissipate as soon as you turn your machine on as you get ready to go to sleep.
The goal is to remove any bacteria and virus that causes pneumonia from your mask. This way it won't have the opportunity to re-infect you. Household germs don't become an issue until you are near death.
Control III or Respiclean are chemical disinfectants that you can use. Be sure to follow the directions and pay attention to the cautions. Acetic acid (vinegar) will work to some extent but under adverse conditions you may want to go with something a little more powerful.
In order to disinfect you first need to clean and then you need to have the chemical in contact with the part for some period of time. This usually involves some kind of soak. If you are not coughing or vomiting or experiencing excessive saliva drooling, your hose may not need any attention and you can just paying attention to your mask.
If you need to disinfect your hose just put the disinfectant solution into a bucket and soak the hose in it. At the end of the soak time you can dump the disinfectant solution and fill the bucket with a rinse solution and wiggle the hose in the bucket to rinse. Then pull it out and let it drain and air dry. Any small amount of moisture will quickly dissipate as soon as you turn your machine on as you get ready to go to sleep.
The goal is to remove any bacteria and virus that causes pneumonia from your mask. This way it won't have the opportunity to re-infect you. Household germs don't become an issue until you are near death.
_________________
Mask: Brevida™ Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Machine is an AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her with Heated Humidifier. |
SpO2 96+% and holding...
- Wulfman...
- Posts: 6688
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
- Location: Nearest fishing spot
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
What specific type of pneumonia?Starlette wrote:Good morning everyone,
Last 2 - 3 weeks, I have had a serious out of pneumonia. This morning, as I was cleaning my mask, I thought about sanitizing it.
I am asking what you consider the best way to do so. In addition, I would like to do the same thing with my heated hose.
With the heated hose, how do I clean and sanitize it as well?
Starlette
Did you get a pneumonia shot? (that's the best way to keep it from happening)
http://www.belmarrahealth.com/is-pneumo ... pneumonia/
http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/pneumonia-topic-overview#1
Unless the actual germs were sucked into your CPAP air intake and got past your filters, water, etc., the likelihood of your equipment holding the germs/viruses/bacteria is highly remote. And, should not reinfect you if they are there.
Just soap and water should be sufficient to clean your mask. "Sanitizing" is not necessary. The air goes ONE WAY through the machine. You couldn't blow hard enough against the air to get anything back down the hose.
At around this very time in 2011, I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia (coughing up blood, etc.) and was very sick for about a week (lower 3rd lobe of the right lung was where it was located). I tried to find out how I could have contracted it, but none of the medical folks at the hospital could tell me. I was curious as to IF they would suggest that it came from the equipment (since that's been a big source of conjecture on this forum), but they never even hinted that could be a source. The only thing they DID say was that there had been LOTS of local cases of it around that time. So, it was apparently something that was "going around" and many people caught it.
If you haven't......get the shot.
Den
.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
-
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:52 pm
- Location: Tex-Mex-NM
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
I had pneumonia in February. I cleaned my reservoir with diluted vinegar and changed the headset and nasal pillows out (it was time anyway). Maybe it wasn't necessary, but it made me feel better. I also change my toothbrush after I get sick.
_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
- chunkyfrog
- Posts: 34458
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
- Location: In the abyss that is Nebraska--wish me luck!
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
I vote for the (pneumonia) vaccine.
It's my body, and I choose to not get sick in the first place.
It's my body, and I choose to not get sick in the first place.
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her |
Last edited by chunkyfrog on Sun Apr 23, 2017 10:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
I also like to use vinegar or bleach around the house. As hose crusher mentioned to be effective contact must be made for some time to kill any bacteria. Keep in mind both are corrosive so I wouldn't use it on a heated hose. I like Violets idea of just changing those things out. Hopefully you do have spare supplies?Violet West wrote:I had pneumonia in February. I cleaned my reservoir with diluted vinegar and changed the headset and nasal pillows out (it was time anyway). Maybe it wasn't necessary, but it made me feel better. I also change my toothbrush after I get sick.
Clean and wipe down the used stuff and set them aside for later use.
Get Well Soon.
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
What they told me at the hospital was that people who never cleaned their equipment were the ones who would get respiratory issues from cpap. Even once a month was enough to keep you from getting sick.
Dawn dishwashing detergent is a better 'sanitizer' than vinegar/water mixture IMHO but pickle odor is probably preferable for a lot of folks. Control III probably even better, but I only use that with equipment I get used and resistant pink slime at the end of the season. Your mask should be cleaned frequently when you are sick, even if you are usually lackadaisical on it. Who wants to breathe into a snotty mask?
I do not know anybody personally who has developed pneumonia while using a cpap. I have been pneumonia and bronchitis free since I started treatment for silent acid reflux so even I am not an example!
Dawn dishwashing detergent is a better 'sanitizer' than vinegar/water mixture IMHO but pickle odor is probably preferable for a lot of folks. Control III probably even better, but I only use that with equipment I get used and resistant pink slime at the end of the season. Your mask should be cleaned frequently when you are sick, even if you are usually lackadaisical on it. Who wants to breathe into a snotty mask?
I do not know anybody personally who has developed pneumonia while using a cpap. I have been pneumonia and bronchitis free since I started treatment for silent acid reflux so even I am not an example!
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead |
Diabetes 2, RLS & bradycardia
Airsense For Her; Settings: range 8-12, Airfit P10 (M)
Airsense For Her; Settings: range 8-12, Airfit P10 (M)
- Slartybartfast
- Posts: 1633
- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:34 pm
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
You can't re-infect yourself. Once you immune system eradicates a bacterium or virus, you have immunity for months to years to that organism, or that strain of organism. Just like getting the shot, except your body has to do the work. Ads on late night TV and AM radio talk shows would have you believe otherwise. They breathlessly intone that you can get sick from a dirty CPAP hose. But they're selling cleaning agents. Follow the money . . .
If you insist on cleaning your hose or humidifier, though, don't expect vinegar to do the job. It's fine for breaking up lime scale deposits. But vinegar is a weak acid, and most bacteria are acid tolerant to some degree. Clean with a dilute solution of Clorox in warm water, with a few drops of dish-washing detergent mixed in as a wetting agent. Then rinse with plenty of clean water and air dry.
Going on 7 years and never cleaned my machine or hose. The humidifier pan, yes, but nothing else.
If you insist on cleaning your hose or humidifier, though, don't expect vinegar to do the job. It's fine for breaking up lime scale deposits. But vinegar is a weak acid, and most bacteria are acid tolerant to some degree. Clean with a dilute solution of Clorox in warm water, with a few drops of dish-washing detergent mixed in as a wetting agent. Then rinse with plenty of clean water and air dry.
Going on 7 years and never cleaned my machine or hose. The humidifier pan, yes, but nothing else.
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
do you ever wash your hands?Slartybartfast wrote:You can't re-infect yourself. Once you immune system eradicates a bacterium or virus, you have immunity for months to years to that organism, or that strain of organism. Just like getting the shot, except your body has to do the work. Ads on late night TV and AM radio talk shows would have you believe otherwise. They breathlessly intone that you can get sick from a dirty CPAP hose. But they're selling cleaning agents. Follow the money . . .
If you insist on cleaning your hose or humidifier, though, don't expect vinegar to do the job. It's fine for breaking up lime scale deposits. But vinegar is a weak acid, and most bacteria are acid tolerant to some degree. Clean with a dilute solution of Clorox in warm water, with a few drops of dish-washing detergent mixed in as a wetting agent. Then rinse with plenty of clean water and air dry.
Going on 7 years and never cleaned my machine or hose. The humidifier pan, yes, but nothing else.
_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Eson™ 2 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear |
All posts reflect my own opinion based on my experience and reading.
Your mileage may vary
Past performance is no guarantee of future results
Consult with your own physician as people very
Your mileage may vary
Past performance is no guarantee of future results
Consult with your own physician as people very
-
- Posts: 2744
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:42 pm
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
Slartybartfast wrote:You can't re-infect yourself. Once you immune system eradicates a bacterium or virus, you have immunity for months to years to that organism, or that strain of organism. Just like getting the shot, except your body has to do the work. Ads on late night TV and AM radio talk shows would have you believe otherwise. They breathlessly intone that you can get sick from a dirty CPAP hose. But they're selling cleaning agents. Follow the money . . .
If you insist on cleaning your hose or humidifier, though, don't expect vinegar to do the job. It's fine for breaking up lime scale deposits. But vinegar is a weak acid, and most bacteria are acid tolerant to some degree. Clean with a dilute solution of Clorox in warm water, with a few drops of dish-washing detergent mixed in as a wetting agent. Then rinse with plenty of clean water and air dry.
Going on 7 years and never cleaned my machine or hose. The humidifier pan, yes, but nothing else.
I'll take the other side of this...
Once your body has healed, you are correct. However, in the middle of the battle your body hasn't formed the immunities and it is possible to re-infect.
The question is When are the immunities formed? Upon contact or upon recovery?
_________________
Mask: Brevida™ Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Machine is an AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her with Heated Humidifier. |
SpO2 96+% and holding...
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
what does that have to do with anything?TASmart wrote:do you ever wash your hands?Slartybartfast wrote:You can't re-infect yourself. Once you immune system eradicates a bacterium or virus, you have immunity for months to years to that organism, or that strain of organism. Just like getting the shot, except your body has to do the work. Ads on late night TV and AM radio talk shows would have you believe otherwise. They breathlessly intone that you can get sick from a dirty CPAP hose. But they're selling cleaning agents. Follow the money . . .
If you insist on cleaning your hose or humidifier, though, don't expect vinegar to do the job. It's fine for breaking up lime scale deposits. But vinegar is a weak acid, and most bacteria are acid tolerant to some degree. Clean with a dilute solution of Clorox in warm water, with a few drops of dish-washing detergent mixed in as a wetting agent. Then rinse with plenty of clean water and air dry.
Going on 7 years and never cleaned my machine or hose. The humidifier pan, yes, but nothing else.
Get OSCAR
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
you can't really "re-infect" if you're already infected, during the 'battle', you've formed the antibodies, or there wouldn't *be* a battle going on.HoseCrusher wrote:Once your body has healed, you are correct. However, in the middle of the battle your body hasn't formed the immunities and it is possible to re-infect.
Get OSCAR
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
-
- Posts: 2744
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:42 pm
Re: Pneumonia, Sterilization & Heated Hose
How about this perspective...
If you are in the middle of the battle, and losing, you can add to your infection load by re-using a mask that hasn't been cleaned and is full of snot, phlegm, and spit from coughing and choking from the previous time you used the mask.
If you are in the middle of the battle, and losing, you can add to your infection load by re-using a mask that hasn't been cleaned and is full of snot, phlegm, and spit from coughing and choking from the previous time you used the mask.
_________________
Mask: Brevida™ Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Machine is an AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her with Heated Humidifier. |
SpO2 96+% and holding...