Cold and flu season can make sleeping difficult for anyone, but for people who use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, congestion, coughing, a runny nose, and other respiratory symptoms can be especially challenging.
If you rely on CPAP to manage obstructive sleep apnea, getting sick does not necessarily mean you should stop treatment. Instead, taking a few extra precautions can help you stay comfortable, keep your equipment clean, and maintain your therapy while you recover.
Why Cold and Flu Season Can Be Challenging for CPAP Users
A cold or flu can cause nasal congestion, sinus pressure, sore throat, coughing, and difficulty breathing comfortably through the nose. These symptoms can make wearing a CPAP mask feel more difficult than usual.
Nasal congestion can be particularly frustrating for people who use a nasal mask or nasal pillows. When the nasal passages become blocked, breathing against the incoming CPAP airflow may feel uncomfortable.
The good news is that there are several ways to make CPAP therapy more manageable when you are sick.
Keep Using Your CPAP as Prescribed
If you have a cold or flu, talk with your healthcare provider if you are unsure whether you should continue CPAP therapy. For many people with obstructive sleep apnea, continuing prescribed treatment is important because untreated sleep apnea can continue to cause disrupted sleep and repeated breathing interruptions.
If you are experiencing significant difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe symptoms, or another concerning change in your health, contact your healthcare provider promptly rather than simply stopping therapy.
Manage Nasal Congestion
A stuffy nose can make CPAP therapy uncomfortable. Depending on your individual health needs, options that may help include:
- Using a saline nasal spray or rinse as directed.
- Increasing humidity if your CPAP device has a humidifier.
- Using a full-face mask if nasal congestion makes nasal breathing difficult.
- Sleeping with your head slightly elevated if that is comfortable for you.
- Discussing appropriate over-the-counter medications with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Be cautious with decongestants and other cold medications. Some medications can affect blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, or other medical conditions. Always check the label and ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure whether a medication is appropriate for you.
Check Your CPAP Humidifier
A heated humidifier can make CPAP therapy more comfortable when you have a dry or irritated nose and throat.
However, humidifier chambers need regular cleaning. Follow the cleaning and water recommendations provided by your CPAP manufacturer.
The FDA recommends following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and notes that many CPAP accessories, including masks, tubing, and humidifier tanks, can generally be cleaned with mild soap and water.
Never share your CPAP equipment with another person.
Clean Your Mask and Tubing Regularly
When you’re sick, it is especially important to stay consistent with your normal CPAP equipment cleaning routine.
Your mask, tubing, and other components can collect moisture, oils, dirt, and microorganisms. Regular cleaning helps keep the equipment in good condition.
The FDA recommends following the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and replacing CPAP components. In general, removable components such as masks and tubing can be cleaned with mild soap and water and allowed to air dry.
Remember:
- Wash your hands before handling your CPAP equipment.
- Clean your mask according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Clean the tubing as recommended.
- Empty and clean the humidifier chamber regularly.
- Replace filters and other disposable components according to manufacturer recommendations.
- Allow components to dry completely before reassembling them.
Be Careful With CPAP Cleaning Machines
Cold and flu season may make you especially interested in products that claim to disinfect CPAP equipment. However, not all CPAP cleaning devices are FDA-authorized.
The FDA advises that most CPAP equipment can be cleaned with mild soap and water, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The agency has also warned about ozone- and UV-based products marketed for CPAP cleaning and notes that unauthorized ozone or UV cleaning products may pose safety concerns. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Do not assume that a device advertised as a “CPAP sanitizer” is necessary or safer than the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning process.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Good hand hygiene is one of the simplest ways to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
Wash your hands before touching your CPAP mask, tubing, humidifier, or other equipment. The CDC recommends frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces as part of respiratory illness prevention. (CDC)
If soap and water are unavailable, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. (CDC)
Consider Your Mask Type
If you normally use nasal pillows or a nasal mask and develop significant nasal congestion, you may find that a full-face mask is more comfortable temporarily.
A full-face mask allows you to breathe through both your nose and mouth while receiving CPAP therapy.
However, mask selection is personal. If you are having difficulty tolerating your normal mask during an illness, talk with your sleep specialist or CPAP provider before making a permanent change.
Pay Attention to Humidity and Airflow
Too little humidity can contribute to dryness and irritation, while too much humidity can result in condensation accumulating in the tubing or mask.
If you develop a cold, you may need to make temporary adjustments to your humidification settings. Your CPAP provider can help you determine the appropriate settings for your equipment.
If you notice excessive water collecting in your tubing, sometimes called “rainout,” contact your equipment provider for advice about adjusting humidity or tubing temperature.
Protect Others When You’re Sick
CPAP users should also consider the people around them when they have a respiratory infection.
The CDC recommends staying home and away from others when respiratory symptoms are not improving. You can generally return to normal activities when your symptoms are improving overall and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. The CDC recommends additional precautions for the following five days, such as improving indoor air quality, practicing good hygiene, wearing a well-fitting mask, or creating physical distance when appropriate.
Good ventilation and cleaner indoor air can also help reduce exposure to respiratory viruses.
Keep Vaccinations Up to Date
One of the best ways to reduce your risk of serious respiratory illness is to stay current with recommended vaccinations.
The CDC recommends staying up to date with recommended immunizations and discussing appropriate vaccines with your healthcare provider. Depending on your age and individual health circumstances, this may include vaccines for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and other illnesses.
The annual flu vaccine is particularly important because influenza can cause serious complications in people at higher risk.
Know When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
A typical cold may improve on its own, but respiratory infections can sometimes become more serious.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- Your symptoms are getting worse rather than better.
- You are having increasing difficulty breathing.
- Your chronic medical condition becomes worse.
- You develop a fever that lasts longer than four days.
- Your symptoms improve and then return or become worse.
- Your symptoms last more than 10 days without improvement.
- You are at higher risk for complications from flu or COVID-19.
The CDC recommends seeking medical care for trouble breathing, dehydration, worsening chronic conditions, persistent fever, or symptoms that improve and then return or worsen. (CDC)
If you develop severe trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or another medical emergency, seek emergency medical care.
A Healthy CPAP Routine During Cold and Flu Season
A little preparation can make respiratory illness easier to manage when you use CPAP.
Keep your CPAP supplies clean, make sure you have replacement filters and other necessary supplies, follow your prescribed treatment, and talk with your healthcare provider if illness makes CPAP difficult to tolerate.
Most importantly, don’t wait until you’re sick to prepare. Keeping your equipment clean and having a plan for managing congestion can help you stay on track with your sleep apnea treatment throughout cold and flu season.
Final Takeaway
Cold and flu season doesn’t have to derail your CPAP routine. Clean your equipment regularly, manage congestion safely, maintain appropriate humidification, practice good hand hygiene, and stay current with recommended vaccinations.
If you become significantly ill or have trouble breathing with your CPAP, contact your healthcare provider for individualized guidance.
Read more here:
Getting to know your OSA Machine a Beginners Guide to CPAP Success