Fall & Winter Health Preparation

CF Senior Saturday Meet & Greet October 2025 Event Recap

Special Guest: Somer Love

Discussion Highlights

• The importance of flu shots and timing vaccination based on individual circumstances.

• Understanding types of flu vaccines and working with your CF care team to choose the right option.

• How flu and cold viruses are transmitted and steps to minimize exposure.

Resources

• Debunking Cold & Flu Myths Quiz – Healthline

• Cystic Fibrosis and Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses – CFF

• CDC 2025–2026 Flu Season Recommendations

• ACIP Influenza Vaccination Guidelines – CDC

• Cystic Fibrosis and Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses – CFF

• Vaccines for the CF Patient - Dr. Richard Moss - CFRI

Read Somer's Tips

• 9 Healthy Tips I Swear By for Flu Season

• Open Letter to Family and Friends During Flu Season

Infection Risk Reduction Strategies

Community Strategies Shared:

• Wear masks in public spaces.

• Use hygiene practices in shared spaces.

• Wear gloves to avoid direct contact of utensils at buffets.

• Try shopping during off-peak hours or order online for delivery to your car or home

• Travel precautions:

  • Choose airplane window seats to minimize exposure.

  • Don’t place luggage on the bed.

  • Use elbows or tissue to avoid touching elevator buttons.

Hospital Hygiene & Infection Control Best Practices:

• Request new nebulizer cups for each treatment.

• Confirm the equipment is sanitized,

• Advocate for yourself that proper infection control is used in healthcare settings.

 

Nebulizer & CPAP Sterilization:

• Use a baby bottle sterilizer for wet/dry cleaning of nebulizer parts.

• Research ozone-based sterilizers and check with your health care team about use.

• Rotate universal hoses to optimize cleaning and drying.

• Resources:

  • WABI Steam Sanitizer Sterilizer & Dryer

  • Respify - CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer

  • Ozone: A Novel Sterilizer for Personal Protective Equipment

Water Safety — Tips to Reduce Bacterial Exposure:

• Use shower filters; sanitize showerheads regularly.

• Keep bathroom doors open after using the shower to reduce mold/moisture.

• Close toilet lids before flushing.

• Wear masks in public restrooms.

• Resources:

  • Is Your Shower Head Making You Sick? – National Jewish Health

  • Preventing Waterborne Germs at Home – CDC

  • Bacteria Lurking in Showerheads – CNN

  • Toilets Spew Invisible Aerosol Plumes (The Conversation)

  • Toilet Aerosol Plumes – Nature Study

Toothbrush Care Recommendations:

• Replace toothbrushes every 3–4 months, after illness, or when bristles fray.

• CF microorganisms can be found in saliva and toothbrushes, posing transmission risks to the lower airways.

• Resources:

  • Toothbrush Care – ADA

  • Presence of CF Microorganisms in Saliva and Toothbrushes (PMC Study)

Community Shares & Shout-Outs

Note: CF Senior Saturdays does not endorse specific products. Always do your research and consult your care team. All information shared is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice.  Always speak with your health care team about your personal health plan.

• Jessica: Shared tips about air travel, showers, and faucets.

• Genny: Shared information about Respify, a CPAP cleaner and sanitizer that uses ozone gas to disinfect sleep equipment like masks, hoses, and water chambers

• Tom & Crystal: Shared publication Ozone: A Novel Sterilizer for Personal Protective Equipment highlighting potential applications and considerations.

• Gina: Shared info on OTC azelastine nasal spray, which has shown potential to reduce COVID-19 risk by two-thirds and lessen severity.

  • WebMD: Why a Common Allergy Nasal Spray Might Prevent COVID

  • PMC: Azelastine Nasal Spray Study

Thank you to everyone who attended, shared valuable tips and resources, and helped make this meeting both memorable and insightful!