Maqus,

Re: my enquirie to CDC re: Legionairre's desease, Here is my answer:

Thank you for your inquiry to CDC-INFO.  In response to your request for information on the potential for contracting Legionnaires' disease through the use of a Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) Mask with a humidifier, we are pleased to provide you with the following relevant information.  

CDC-INFO is unable to provide you with any specific information pertaining to an associated risk of using a CPAP and contracting Legionnaires' disease. We apologize for the inconvenience.

In any event, people most at risk of getting sick from the bacteria (germ) that causes Legionnaires' disease are:

- Older people (mostly those 65 years of age or older);
- Smokers;
- Those who have a chronic lung illness (like emphysema);
- Those with a weak immune system (body defense); and
- People who take drugs to suppress (weaken) the immune system.

People get Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor that contains the bacteria.  This could happen from breathing in the steam from a hot tub that hasn't been cleaned and disinfected right.

The bacteria are NOT spread from person to person.

Outbreaks happen when two or more people get sick in the same place at about the same time.  This could be patients in hospitals.  Hospital buildings have complex water systems.  Also, many people in hospitals already have illnesses that raise their risk for Legionella infection.

Other outbreaks have been linked to:
- A vapor or mist source in a community;
- Cruise ships; and
- Hotels.

In these cases, the most likely causes of outbreak are:
- Cooling towers (air-conditioning units from large buildings);
- Hot tubs; and
- Water used for drinking and bathing.

Please also be aware that most people who come into contact with the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease do not get sick.  However, if you are concerned that you may have been exposed, talk to your doctor right away.

For more information, please visit these CDC websites:

Legionellosis: Legionnaires' Disease (LD) and Pontiac Fever -
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/legionellosis_g.htm

Division of Foodborne, Bacterial, and Mycotic Diseases -
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/

Please be aware that we are also copying your inquiry to CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases in case their Subject Matter Experts have additional input or comments to offer.

Thank you for contacting CDC-INFO Contact Center.  Please do not hesitate to call 1-800-CDC-INFO, e-mail cdcinfo@cdc.gov or visit http://www.cdc.gov if you have any additional questions.  

CDC-INFO is a service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).  This service is provided by Vangent, Inc. under contract to CDC and ATSDR.

RanMan (Randy)

Unless I missed something, I think CDC did.  Someone explain to me how cooling towers work, but none of those sources of water that CDC mentions come from the distilling process, which is what a humidifier is, a distiller.  Distilling water leaves everything behind.  CDC apparently does not understand a CPAP humidifier, so ask them this question and I bet they would have the answer:

"Can one get Legionaire's disease through room hot or cold air humidifiers?"

I emailed them, and asked if they could reply directly to this thread.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

As long as one keeps the CPAP humidifier clean and doesn't use contaminated water in it, there should never be a problem with Legionnaires disease or any other respiratory disease for that matter. And if one does contract some respiratory disease and is doing everything with CPAP right, then it probably came from some other source!


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

White Beard,

It makes total sence to keep your CPAP humidifier clean but I just wanted more re-assurance from CDC and see what kind of feedback I would get on this.

Randy

Hi RanMan:

Thanks a lot for the info you posted, very interesting.

As notorious as Legionnaires is, if anybody had ever caught Legionnaires from a CPAP, it is very likely that the incident would be well known.

I have more information from the CDC re Legionairre's desease and the CPAP:

Thank you for your inquiry to CDC-INFO.  We are sorry for the delay in responding to your e-mail.  A recent high volume of inquiries has slowed our response time.  Your request for information on Legionnaires' disease was copied to Subject Matter Experts within CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD).  Following is their additional input:

NCIRD is not aware of any journal articles or published reports of someone definitely acquiring Legionnaires' disease from a CPAP machine, although we do receive reports of Legionnaires' disease cases that have used their machines prior to becoming ill.  
It is unclear if the machine is actually harboring the Legionella bacteria (and maybe causing the exposure) or if the population that regularly uses CPAP machines is at higher risk of developing the disease after any exposure in general (showers, faucets, etc) due to underlying medical conditions which may affect breathing.  

We would recommend following manufacturer guidelines for cleaning and filling the machine.  Usually this includes using sterile water in the machine and thoroughly cleaning the machine after each use (and allowing it to air dry).

Thank you for contacting CDC-INFO.  Please do not hesitate to call 1-800-CDC-INFO, e-mail cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or visit www.cdc.gov if you have any additional questions.

CDC-INFO is a service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).  This service is provided by Vangent, Inc. under contract to CDC and ATSDR.

Randy