pears5 wrote:Hi all, I am new to CPAP so I need all the help I can get. I have had my CPAP Machine for two weeks now and am having quite a few problems, but my major concern is the bridge of my nose has become very infected and is now an open wound. This has happened from using my mask which I clean every morning with alcohol wipes. I had swabs taken by my doctor last week and is turns out to be golden staph. I am now on antibiotics to cure the infection. I work in a hospital so because of the infection I am unable to go to work till it clears. I am now using a full face mask but I cant get a good seal no matter what I try. Has anyone else had these problems ? Your advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Reply,
I got Staph infection 5 years ago from a hip replacement surgery. The cause happened to be the hospital itself and apparently my low immune resistance. At that time the Staph infection rate at this hospital averaged above 1% for joint surgeries. But since then lots of improvement have taken place. Foremoust, the placing of antiseptic dispensers by the doors of all patients rooms. The Doctors themselves were the culprit.
After I was diagnosed with Staph I was treated with Vancomycin by IV for three weeks, twice, 6 months apart. First time, in a nursing home dispensing the Vancomycin there, and the next time, in a clinic at an Infection Diseases Group of doctors. Medicare paid both places.
I take Dicloxacillin 250 mg capsule twice daily, prophylactically. The Staph was settled around the metal of my hip implant.
So either the implant should be replaced or I take the Rx.
p.s. IMO, if you got Staph into the skin lesion on your nose from a mask then you probably carried the Staph on your fingers from your Hospital and rubbed it into your mask or nose at home. Sue the hospital!
p.s. b/c the infection cleared so fast I doubt it that it was Staph (what is Golden Staph?)