Should I be worried about getting sick from bacteria in cpap

[TheRyGuy]

I recently read an article online that a CPAP machine and hoses will collect bacteria and push it into your mouth, nose, and lungs while you sleep. This obviously scared the crap out of me. I only clean about once a month. Should I be worried about this? I have a Resmed S9.

Also, what should I use to clean? All I have is dawn, alcohol, and witch hazel.

[BlackSpinner]

I recently read an article online that a CPAP machine and hoses will collect bacteria and push it into your mouth, nose, and lungs while you sleep. This obviously scared the crap out of me. I only clean about once a month. Should I be worried about this? I have a Resmed S9.

Also, what should I use to clean? All I have is dawn, alcohol, and witch hazel.

Vinegar or dawn.
The rest is urban myth

[TheRyGuy]

I recently read an article online that a CPAP machine and hoses will collect bacteria and push it into your mouth, nose, and lungs while you sleep. This obviously scared the crap out of me. I only clean about once a month. Should I be worried about this? I have a Resmed S9.

Also, what should I use to clean? All I have is dawn, alcohol, and witch hazel.

Vinegar or dawn.
The rest is urban myth

What is? The Bacteria?

[chunkyfrog]

As long as you change your filter monthly, and clean your equipment before it gets obviously funky,
most of us are in little or no danger.
The few who should be concerned are those with compromised immunity.
(No such thing as too clean if you are taking immuno-suppressants.)
Most of us are exposed to worse germs at the grocery store, in the doctor's waiting room or in church.

[idamtnboy]

So asks theRyGuy.

The short answer: No

[archangle]

I recently read an article online that a CPAP machine and hoses will collect bacteria and push it into your mouth, nose, and lungs while you sleep. This obviously scared the crap out of me. I only clean about once a month. Should I be worried about this? I have a Resmed S9.

Also, what should I use to clean? All I have is dawn, alcohol, and witch hazel.

Where was the article?

[TheRyGuy]

Thanks everyone.

Although I was told to change my filter every 6 months. Should I do it every month?

[archangle]

Thanks everyone.

Although I was told to change my filter every 6 months. Should I do it every month?

ResMed or Respironics?

For the Respironics PRS1, the manual says the gray filter should be washed every two weeks and replaced at six months. The optional white filter should be replaced every 30 days or when it gets dirty.

http://respironicsremstars.respironics. ... Manual.pdf

For ResMed, change it every 6 months.

http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documen ... er_eng.pdf

[Bright Choice]

Not to worry but do be vigilant about cleaning. I use Control III which is sold on cpap.com. It is a hospital grade antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic. Buy the large bottle on cpap.com and a covered 1 gallon tub (think paint tub or ice cream bucket). Cpap says this is actually cheaper than vinegar. Mix 1 ounce with 1 gallon of water. I pre-wash with a mild soap to remove oils and then soak everything. I do this weekly and change the solution monthly (instructions say every 2 weeks).

Good luck! And yes, one of my docs says he does see health problems when people don't clean their equipment. A lot of posters here are very casual about cleaning but I am not in that camp.

[Randyp1234]

Question - where is all this bacteria supposed to be coming from?

[portiemom]

From those Aliens that come and move your mask silly

[Roger2]

I recently read an article online that a CPAP machine and hoses will collect bacteria and push it into your mouth, nose, and lungs while you sleep. This obviously scared the crap out of me. I only clean about once a month. Should I be worried about this? I have a Resmed S9.

Also, what should I use to clean? All I have is dawn, alcohol, and witch hazel.

Since your cpap device is not a totally closed and airtight apparatus, it most assuredly can permit bacteria to build up, some of which can cause serious respiratory infections. As to how often to clean your system and with what depends to a large extent upon your other health related problems. Your pulmonologist can probably give you the best advice on that.

I personally clean mine three times a week including the air hose, mask and humidifier with a mild detergent and once a week with Control III which is disinfectant and germicidal agent by soaking the above items for 30 minutes in each. I do however have some ancillary problems besides obstructive sleep apnea which could be seriously compromised by a pulmonary infection like COPD, Hypoxemia, secondary pulmonary hypertension, elevated hemidiaphragms, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension.

Again, you should discuss this with your physician and evaluate your equipment cleanliness needs with him or her to see what risks a bacterial infection would have on your health.




pax
Roger

[archangle]

Bacteria and other germs will get there from the room air, your hands, your face, your exhaled air, etc.

Of course, you're already exposed to these germs. Maybe there are some places where the germs might multiply in the system, or the system might somehow force them into your lungs, sinuses, etc.

It really doesn't make much sense to me, but keep the equipment clean, anyway.

[GumbyCT]

I recently read an article online that a CPAP machine and hoses will collect bacteria and push it into your mouth, nose, and lungs while you sleep. This obviously scared the crap out of me. I only clean about once a month. Should I be worried about this? I have a Resmed S9.

Also, what should I use to clean? All I have is dawn, alcohol, and witch hazel.

Where was the article?

Prob one of yours, right here

I got sooo worried, now I just hold my breath so I don't get the room air germs any more now. YMMV

[Just a guy]

Inside temp vs outside temp causes the apparatus to condensate and whenever moisture is present bacteria can grow. Its a Pipleline to your lungs that you use for 5-8 hours every night so it doesn't take much to see where problems can occur. is it different based on environment and individual patient circumstances? Absolutely. There is a study from a Harvard university professor and it states they (Harvard University) cannot keep the supplies free from bacteria with their best efforts. Also the more efforts you make the more you compromise the effectiveness of the therapy due to leakage and airflow. If the doctors recommend to change more frequently and the insurance providers see enough in the research to change them more often you know the doctor bills alternatively must be compelling