CF Foundation’s Infection Control Practices

Because of health risks to people with CF, it is the policy of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that individuals with CF who have had a positive sputum culture for Burkholderia cepacia complex (B. cepacia) shall not attend events or meetings sponsored by the CF Foundation.

B. cepacia can be spread between people with CF through casual contact or close physical distance with people with B. cepacia. This kind of infection can cause serious respiratory illness in CF and, in some, may result in rapid decline in lung function, possibly leading to death.

As you know, people with CF can spread CF-specific germs to each other. The most common way for germs to spread is by coming into direct contact with a person with an infection or by touching something that the infected person’s germs are on.

Germs can be spread by shaking hands or by touching something with germs on it. For example, a person with a cold coughs into their hand and then touches a pen – the pen now has the cold germ. This is why it is very important to clean your hands often with either soap and water or alcohol based-hand gels.

The CF Foundation’s infection control practices for GREAT STRIDES are:

• People who have had a positive culture for B. cepacia complex shall not attend a GREAT STRIDES event.
  
  
• Clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.
  
  
• Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing, throw it away, then clean your hands.
  
  
• If you are ill, please stay away from others.
  
  
• We ask that people with CF voluntarily identify themselves with a rose sticker to be worn visibly. Please ask at the event's registration table to get one.
  
  
• Keep at least three feet away from others who appear ill or are coughing. If you have CF, keep at least three feet away from others with CF who may be at this event.
  
  
• Please respect the health of others, particularly if you have a cold. Please understand and do not be offended if someone at this event maintains a distance of 3 feet from you or does not wish to shake hands.

Additional Resources

• Facts About Burkholderia cepacia
  
  
• Watch the Virtual CF Education Day Web cast “Infection Control and Germs” and "Everyday Life with CF and Infection Control."
  
  
• Read "What You Should Know About Germs" and "Stopping the Spread of Germs."

Updated 09/29/09