Cystic Fibrosis has been around for a long
time. The above poem was taken from early German folklore. The following
are a few common myths and truths about Cystic Fibrosis:
Cystic Fibrosis is contagious.
False, CF is not contagious. It is a disease that is genetically
inherited by the child from his or her parents who either have the gene
or are carriers of the gene.
The gene that codes for Cystic Fibrosis has been found.
True, the gene that produces the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance
regulator protein, CFTR, is known. A defect in this protein interferes
with the transport of chloride through the proper channels.
Cystic Fibrosis is not very common in the United States.
False, CF is the most common fatal genetic disease in the U.S. today.
There are over 30,000 people affected with CF in the United States.
There is a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
False, there is no cure or control for CF. There are however,
treatments for the symptoms and effects of CF that help the patient live
a somewhat "normal" life.
Cystic Fibrosis interferes with the correct functioning of many organs
in the body.
True, the airways, pancreas, liver, sweat glands, skin and small intestine
are some of the organs that do not function properly due to the blockage
of ducts or tubes necessary for the correct functioning of these organs.
There is an identification process to tell if a person is a carrier
of Cystic Fibrosis.
False, a person typically does not know if he or she could be a carrier of CF unless
an immediate family member is diagnosed with CF.
Children can outgrow Cystic Fibrosis as they age.
False, children cannot outgrow CF. It is a permanent disease.
However, due to advances in treatment and care, children are living more
normal, healthier lives than before. In the early 1960's, children
were not expected to live past their eighth year. Today, the average
life span of people with CF is about thirty years.