Does Bacterial Filter Block Humidity?

I have the Icon Auto CPAP which has a poor quality filter and doesn't block enough allergy triggers. I also need a lot of humidity. Will the bacteria filters block humidity?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/generi ... -pack.html

Note the replacement interval for these filters. Change at least as often as recommended.
Not only do they capture bacteria, pollen and dust, but condensed water as well.
When full, they obstruct air flow--you probably will not like that.
I would recommend a separate air cleaner in the home/bedroom.
If you are plagued with allergies/asthma, eliminate carpeting and fabric furnishings, especially in the bedroom.

Using a bacterial filter is a waste of time and effort unless when you are not hooked to it you live in a bubble house sterilized. Where do you think those Bacteria are living when you aren't using the filter. They are in YOUR world all around you 24/7, your body kills them off and gets stronger. Without them, you are more liable to find a stronger strain that you aren't prepared to fight off. Feel free to waste your money, it's the American way. Jim

Instead I invest in Vitamin's, that make my body stronger!

Tesseract wrote:I have the Icon Auto CPAP which has a poor quality filter and doesn't block enough allergy triggers. I also need a lot of humidity. Will the bacteria filters block humidity?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/generi ... -pack.html

mine doesn't.

Tesseract wrote:I have the Icon Auto CPAP which has a poor quality filter and doesn't block enough allergy triggers. I also need a lot of humidity. Will the bacteria filters block humidity?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/generi ... -pack.html

Those filters are my life saver especially during ragweed pollen season. My first year on this therapy was terrible during ragweed pollen season. I am sure to check the filter daily.
I am always surprised at the amount it filters out after a week. The humidity does not bother the filters.

Goofproof wrote:Using a bacterial filter is a waste of time and effort unless when you are not hooked to it you live in a bubble house sterilized. Where do you think those Bacteria are living when you aren't using the filter. They are in YOUR world all around you 24/7, your body kills them off and gets stronger. Without them, you are more liable to find a stronger strain that you aren't prepared to fight off. Feel free to waste your money, it's the American way. Jim

Instead I invest in Vitamin's, that make my body stronger!

More that the bacterial filters remove pollens in addition to the bacteria. If one washes out the nose before bed an then uses the filter it will reduce the allergic effects. As far as vitamins - Americans have the most expensive urine in the world. Adding vitamins has never been credibly verified to help anything. But its your money spend it as you wish.

TASmart wrote:
More that the bacterial filters remove pollens in addition to the bacteria. If one washes out the nose before bed an then uses the filter it will reduce the allergic effects. As far as vitamins - Americans have the most expensive urine in the world. Adding vitamins has never been credibly verified to help anything. But its your money spend it as you wish.

Maybe thats why the raised my sewer bill, at least my Vitamins will make the Oceans healthier, and when I eat Cod, I get my Vitamins back! I too suffer from Pollen all year round, at night I take a OTC tablet before bed and suffer all day. The XPAP normal filters keeps me clear all night. My cpap has filters that work. Jim

My bro uses those bacterial filters when away from home and they work excellently with his bipap (highest pressure is 21). In fact, the hospital has added it to his hose when he's forgotten them. However, he uses medium humidity, so it doesn't quite compare with your needs.

If you instead decide in future to get a whole room air purifier, this is the one we have had the best luck with for my bro.
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-50250- ... r+purifier

Goofproof, your argument assumes that FIRST everybody or even most, have an excellent immune system at all times. This is so far from true as to be laughable. Second, how your body systems work laying down is very different from when you are sitting or standing. I'm glad you don't have these problems, but just because you don't, don't assume nobody else does. Seasonal allergies kill some people every year, and make a whole lot of people miserable. The goal is to make cpap comfortable year 'round and if adding a bacterial filter, hepa filter, room purifier does it so that they can use their cpap, I'm all for it. I'm fortunate in that all I need is a brand name Resmed air filter - works better than knock off filters during allergy season.

Tesseract wrote:I have the Icon Auto CPAP which has a poor quality filter and doesn't block enough allergy triggers. I also need a lot of humidity. Will the bacteria filters block humidity?

The short answer is YES. Any filter (anything) in the hose will restrict and/or reduce air flow.

These types of filters were designed to be installed BEFORE a humidifier - in the old days when the humidifier was a separate unit connected (AFTER the blower) by a hose the filter would be installed between the two. With todays integrated cpaps this is impossible to do unless you don't use a humidifier or don't put water in the humidifier.

While you received a variety of answers I will say that it did reduce airflow for me. You can try increasing the pressure to see if that helps but keep an eye on things. The filter will normally turn a moldy black color after use when it gets wet.

While you may not feel a difference in airflow right away IF your cpap collects event data and you suddenly start getting Zero events all nite long but feel worse than before using the filter -that will be your answer.

The following quotes are from the link you provided - check the "Important Tips" tab and be sure to read the Customers Reviews then make your decision.

Is it Safe to Use with a Heated Humidifier?

The filter is safe for use with heated humidifiers. Though, it is important to remember, heated humidifiers can drip water into the filter. If water drips into the filter, moisture can clog the filter and result in less effective therapy. If the filter becomes wet, remove it from the machine and set out to dry. Dry time may vary.
For those using an APAP machine, the filter may cause airflow to become restricted.

Those with an average pressure of 7cm H2O or less may be advised not to use the filter as an additional filtration system.

Incompatibility with the Auto On/Off Feature

The bacteria filter causes the following machines with Auto On/Off to have difficultly sensing airflow. Therefore, the machine cannot properly auto start and auto stop as airflow is the largest component of that process.

You might consider trying a cpap from another mfg - I know the Respironics and Resmeds both have a fine AND a coarse filter.

SewTired wrote:My bro uses those bacterial filters when away from home and they work excellently with his bipap (highest pressure is 21). In fact, the hospital has added it to his hose when he's forgotten them. However, he uses medium humidity, so it doesn't quite compare with your needs.

If you instead decide in future to get a while room air purifier, this is the one we have had the best luck with for my bro.
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-50250- ... r+purifier

Goofproof, your argument assumes that FIRST everybody or even most, have an excellent immune system at all times. This is so far from true as to be laughable. Second, how your body systems work laying down is very different from when you are sitting or standing. I'm glad you don't have these problems, but just because you don't, don't assume nobody else does. Seasonal allergies kill some people every year, and make a whole lot of people miserable. The goal is to make cpap comfortable year 'round and if adding a bacterial filter, hepa filter, room purifier does it so that they can use their cpap, I'm all for it. I'm fortunate in that all I need is a brand name Resmed air filter - works better than knock off filters during allergy season.

I guess if your immune system isn't up to snuff, they would crawl back into their bubble for 16 hours. I'd move my cpap into the bubble, easier to deal with. I'm afraid most of us have immune systems that could be better, like the rest of us they wear down too. Only thing not being sick puts us at more risk of not being able to throw something off in the future. Don't use it, lose it! Jim I use a room a/c unit it also pulls the bad guys out of the air, I set it to 64 degrees year around, a cool mask is a good mask. Jim