The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Public Safety Committee is responding to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the coronavirus (COVID-19). The following questions were submitted by patients who have obstructive sleep apnea. 

The AASM encourages you to follow the CDC tips on how to prepare for the coronavirus. The information below is for educational use only. The AASM is unable to provide specific medical advice. You should discuss your health and medical condition with a local medical provider. You also can request a telemedicine appointment with a health care provider who is licensed in your state. (Alaska Sleep Clinic is the ONLY sleep lab in Alaska using Sleep TM and has the most exprience in telemedicine than any other sleep clinic in the state.)

View additional COVID-19 FAQs from ResMed.

Do I have a higher risk of getting coronavirus because I have sleep apnea?

It is unclear if sleep apnea causes you to have a higher risk of getting the coronavirus. People who do have a higher risk of the coronavirus include:

• Older adults
• Those who have serious medical disorders. These disorders include
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease
  • Kidney disease
• Those who have a medical disorder, or take a medication, that weakens the immune system. 
• Those who have had close contact with another person who has the coronavirus. 

If I have symptoms of the coronavirus, should I continue using my CPAP?

If you have the coronavirus, it is important to talk to your medical provider before stopping any medical treatments. It is possible that using CPAP could increase the risk of spreading the virus to others around you. Be sure to talk to your medical provider about this risk.

If you are sick with the coronavirus, you should follow current CDC recommendations:

• Stay home except to get medical care. 
• Separate yourself from other people in your home. 
• Stay in a specific “sick room.” 
• Use a separate bathroom, if one is available.
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
• Wear a facemask when you are around other people.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid sharing dishes, glasses or utensils with others.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your “sick room” every day. 
• Seek medical care if your illness gets worse. (But call your doctor first.) 

If I have the coronavirus, will my CPAP be helpful for my breathing? Or could CPAP cause the coronavirus to get worse?

It is unclear whether CPAP could make the coronavirus worse. But using CPAP could increase the risk of spreading the virus to others around you. Talk to your medical provider about your treatment options for sleep apnea.

If I have the coronavirus, how should I clean and disinfect my CPAP mask and hose?

The CDC recommends that you should clean and disinfect your medical equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.* The directions for CPAP masks and hoses normally include regular cleaning with soap and water. It is unclear if extra CPAP cleaning is needed due to the coronavirus.

*How to clean your CPAP equipment

The CDC also recommends that you clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your household. This includes door knobs, light switches and handles. Learn more from the CDC about how to clean and disinfect your household.

Alaska Sleep Clinic is a group of four American Academy of Sleep Medicine accredited
sleep clinics and is the ONLY sleep clinic in Alaska using SleepTM, the latest in sleep
telemedicine technology. 

Our sleep clinics in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Soldotna and Wasilla are open because ASC
believes it is extremely important for patients to have access to healthcare during this
time so they can be as healthy as possible. OSA is a respiratory issue and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible in order to help patients fight
against the COVID-19.

If you or your patients have any questions or concerns, give us a call during office hours,
Monday-Friday 9 am- 5 pm.