7 Million People
"Immunocompromised people account for at least 2.7% of U.S. adults—about 7 million people,” according to the American Medical Association (AMA). This includes those with primary immunodeficiency, as well as those whose immune system has been medically suppressed due to recent procedures including organ transplants and cancer treatments.
Of course the immunocompromised are at greater risk for all communicable diseases including covid-19. For example, they accounted for 12% of all adult COVID-19 hospitalizations in a 2022 study.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7127a3.htm
I had a call on this subject a few days ago, so I thought this would be a good time to share what we have discovered and developed regarding masks for the immunocompromised (and everyone else).
The Best Masks and How to Use Them:
Easy-to-breathe, 100% effective fan/HEPA filter mask. We have been using these since April 2021, the "BROAD AirPro Mask Rechargeable Reusable Air Purifying Respirator with a HEPA Filter”, from Amazon ($46) and other sellers. The HEPA filter is 99.97% effective for virus-sized particles, and the fan slightly pressurizes the mask, giving you a much higher percentage of cool, fresh air compared to regular N95 or N100 masks. Really a breath of fresh air! Replacement HEPA filters, rechargeable batteries, etc. are readily available.
Another nice feature about this system is that you can pair the fan/filter mechanism with any N95 mask of your choice. (You can use any mask really, but the N95 works best for us—our current favorite is the Kimberly-Clark PROFESSIONAL N95 Pouch Respirator (53358), NIOSH-Approved, Made in U.S.A., from Amazon or others.)
In the blog posts, we have talked about these Airpro masks several times over the last two years. Our Jan. 4, 2022 blog post includes helpful information with four videos sharing information on the Airpro mask, how to sterilize masks, as well as how to modify an N95 mask to fit the Airpro hose. And there is a post about safe air travel using them [see Sept 2, 2022 blog post].
For the immunocompromised, we sell a version that we have modified to give slightly better performance for $100 plus shipping.
Masks with Exhalation Valves. If you are not contagious, you can use this type of mask without endangering those around you. These masks are a simpler version of the Airpro mask in that they give you a higher percentage of cool, fresh air—better quality air to breathe and less of your own exhaled air. They are also your best protection if you have to be out in the smoke-filled air from wildfires or locally-generated dust.
The best models are “N100” masks, tested to be 100% effective. I tried out one of these (3M Personal Protective Equipment Particulate Respirator 8233, Amazon, $10/mask) and found it to be serious, well-made, and readily adjustable for a good fit. Breathing was no more annoying than with N95 masks.
Our current favorite N95 valved mask is the Dräger X-plore 1350 V N95 Particulate Respirator with Exhalation Valve (Amazon, $26 for ten). However, they are not always a tight fit around everyone’s face and may be too loose at the chin. (See July 20, 2023 blog post.)
A good fit around all the edges is essential for any mask. (Not so much for the Airpro, where a little air leaking out is normal.) If you exhale, and feel air leaking out, perhaps blowing toward your eyes, then there also will be unfiltered air leaking in when you breathe in. Try bending the nose area of the mask. If you can’t get a good fit, you may need to select another brand.
Hot air mask sterilization and reuse. There was a study done in August 2020 at the University of Illinois which documented how to sterilize your disposable masks, rather than throwing them away after each use (https://hmntl.illinois.edu/news/17342). We have a video demonstrating this—all it takes is a standard crockpot set on “Low”! See Sterilizing Masks video.
Note that sterilizing the Airpro mask is not so important since the incoming virus is trapped in the HEPA filter, not in the mask. Do not put the fan-filter unit in your crockpot — this would reduce the lifetime of the lithium battery.
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