Do I Have Cystic Fibrosis?

Do you have a very salty-tasting skin?

Do you have persistent cough that produces thick mucus (sputum)?

Do you have wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound made while you breathe)?

Do you have shortness of breath?

Do you have frequent lung infections including pneumonia or bronchitis?

Do you have recurrent sinusitis, inflamed nasal passages or a stuffy nose?

Do you have poor weight gain or growth, despite a good appetite?

Do you have difficulty with bowel movements, which may include straining while trying to pass stool?

Do you have constipation for a long time?

Do you have foul-smelling, greasy, bulky stools?

If you are a man, do you have infertility problems?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that progresses over time. Cystic fibrosis mainly affects the respiratory system, digestive system and sweat glands. People with cystic fibrosis have increased levels of salt in their sweat, and many parents often say that they can taste the salt while kissing their child. Nowadays, more than 30,000 people are living with CF in the United States, and about 1000 new cases of CF are diagnosed every year. There is no cure for this condition, but treatment methods have advanced significantly over the years.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have cystic fibrosis (CF). Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas and many other organs. People with CF have continuous lung infections that result in severe breathing difficulties over time. Parents with a defective CF gene will pass that gene on to their children. If you inherited two copies of a defective CF gene, you will have cystic fibrosis, but if you have only one copy of the defective CF gene, you will not have the disease, but you will be a carrier. Diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis are a complex processes.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have cystic fibrosis (CF). Cystic fibrosis is a serious and complex genetic disease that causes severe damage to your lungs and digestive system. When you have CF, your body produces sticky and thick secretions that can interfere with the tubes and passages, especially in your lungs and pancreas. The symptoms can vary from person to person, and the course of the disease will depend on the timely diagnosis. The treatment plan for each person with CF must be tailored to their individual needs. It includes therapy for clearing the airways and improving the absorption of essential nutrients.