Cleaning + disinfecting nebulizer and aerobica

Has anyone gotten a sinus or eye infection from using a nebulizer that wasn’t propertly cleaned?
I've been nebulizing 7% saline once daily using a PARI Vios with a Sprint reusable nebulizer cup. To clean the nebulizer, I alternate between soaking the cup pieces in hot water and dish soap on one day and boiling them for 5 minutes the next day. I recently noticed that the hose tube gets moisture sometimes that it never did before. Now I sometimes run the Vios without the cup after nebulizing to get rid of the moisture in the tube, but sometimes I forget to check. I also have been using the same cup for more than 4 months because I only nebulize once a day. Two days ago, sometime after nebulizing and a shower, my face around my left eye turned red and itchy and there was a puffy area near, but not adjacent to, my eye. I’m trying to figure out if it has anything to do with my nebulizing. I’ve read that cellulitis can come from a bacterial sinus infection.
I’m panicking because my ID doctor retired and I’ve not yet met my new one, I don’t want to go to urgent care because I don’t believe they will have the necessary background, and I don’t have an ophthalmologist to go to.

Hi dc1950, I think I can address your question. We have used nebulizers in our home for years and have never sanitized tubing. If you are using the machine correctly the tubing should always be dry, so nothing can grow in it. If you see moisture droplets in it any time, simply disconnect the mouthpiece from the tubing and leave the compressor running for 10 minutes to dry it out.

Mouthpieces, whether regularly sterilized or not, should be replaced every 3-6 months based on your doctor's recommendation. Simply replace the tubing at the same time. When I order my replacement mouthpiece, I make sure new tubing is included.

How often do you replace the mouthpiece and solution chamber?
Sue

Boy, this information about cleaning is just all over the place. I was told at NJH that the Aerobika and nebulizer should be washed in hot soapy water for 5 minutes after every use, and then steamed in the microwave once a week. I was also told the tubing does not need to be cleaned (just run the compressor for a minute or so to clear out any slight condensation) and then replace the tubing every two months. Is there an expert out there that might give us all a definitive answer? If there's a better mousetrap, I'm all for it. I have had NTM for 11 years and have cleared 3 different strains with no meds - just airway clearance. I still have Kansasii, bronchiectasis, pseudomonas, and two small cavities so I'm not home free by a long shot.

Yikes! The tubing is supposed to be replaced every two weeks! Plus dry it out each time by running the compressor with just the tubing for 3 minutes or so. Then hang the tubing in a very safe place where it will not get disturbed by anyone. I hang mine in a section of my closet where nothing can touch it.

So are you saying the nebulizer tubing should be replaced every two weeks? Where do you get this tubing without purchasing new nebulizer? We also replace oxygen tubing at two week intervals. Is this what others do?

So are you saying the nebulizer tubing should be replaced every two weeks? Where do you get this tubing without purchasing new nebulizer? We also replace oxygen tubing at two week intervals. Is this what others do?

Boy, this information about cleaning is just all over the place. I was told at NJH that the Aerobika and nebulizer should be washed in hot soapy water for 5 minutes after every use, and then steamed in the microwave once a week. I was also told the tubing does not need to be cleaned (just run the compressor for a minute or so to clear out any slight condensation) and then replace the tubing every two months. Is there an expert out there that might give us all a definitive answer? If there's a better mousetrap, I'm all for it. I have had NTM for 11 years and have cleared 3 different strains with no meds - just airway clearance. I still have Kansasii, bronchiectasis, pseudomonas, and two small cavities so I'm not home free by a long shot.

You are like me! So confused. We've used compressor-style nebulizers for over 30 years. Replaced neb cup/mouthpiece/tubing every 3 months when using daily, otherwise a little longer. Never was told any different by Pulmo, ENT, primary, Respiratory Therapists, hospital...and never got an infection from nebulizing.

Always washed in hot cup and mouthpiece in soapy water daily (If ill, also sterilized weekly) & dried tubing by running the compressor if needed. When I got MAC, pulmo nurse asked how I cleaned neb & said good - do your Acapela the same. Now I read replace tubing every 2 weeks, 2 months...NJH says 2 weeks, one nebulizer site says "with the mouthpiece" and another says every 6 months. No one has shown me any research based data about the frequency of replacement.

How did I solve this? Switched to a mist/impeller style neb, without tubing. Handheld is easier for me anyway.

Question for anyone here who has time to search: Can you find any research-based evidence that one can be infected with any pathogen from nebulizer tubing, or that nebulizer tubing from a properly cleaned and maintained nebulizer has been proven to harbor MAC, NTM, pseudomonas or pneumococcus?

Sue