Learn about cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs, and how to treat and live with this chronic disease.
CF is a rare genetic disease found in about 30,000 people in the U.S. If you have CF or are considering testing for it, knowing about the role of genetics in CF can help you make informed decisions about your health care.
If you or your child has just been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, or your doctor has recommended testing for CF, you may have many questions.
Diagnosing CF is a multistep process. A complete diagnostic evaluation should include a newborn screening, a sweat chloride test, a genetic or carrier test, and a clinical evaluation at a CF Foundation-accredited care center.
Raising a child with cystic fibrosis can bring up many questions because CF affects many aspects of your child’s life. Here you’ll find resources to help you manage your child’s daily needs and find the best possible CF care.
Living with cystic fibrosis comes with many challenges, including medical, social, and financial. By learning more about how you can manage your disease every day, you can ultimately help find a balance between your busy lifestyle and your CF care.
People with CF are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. As an adult with CF, you may reach key milestones you might not have considered. Planning for these life events requires careful thought as you make decisions that may impact your life.
People with cystic fibrosis are living longer and more fulfilling lives, thanks in part to specialized CF care and a range of treatment options.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited care centers provide expert care and specialized disease management to people living with cystic fibrosis.
We provide funding for and accredit more than 120 care centers and 53 affiliate programs nationwide. The high quality of specialized care available throughout the care center network has led to the improved length and quality of life for people with CF.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation provides standard care guidelines based on the latest research, medical evidence, and consultation with experts on best practices.
As a clinician, you’re critical in helping people with CF maintain their quality of life. We’re committed to helping you partner with patients and their families by providing resources you can use to improve and continue to provide high-quality care.
As part of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's mission to help improve the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis, the PSDC initiative taps the CF community to inform key efforts to support the management of daily care.
Your cystic fibrosis care team includes a group of CF health care professionals who partner with you to provide specialized, comprehensive CF care.
Many people living with cystic fibrosis and their families face complicated issues related to getting the care they need. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Compass makes sure that no one has to do it alone.
CF Foundation Compass is a service that helps people with CF and their families with navigating insurance options, connecting to legal information and experts, finding available financial resources, and tackling other life issues.
CF care team members are paramount in providing highly specialized care to people living with CF. CF Foundation Compass can help by serving as a strategic ally for care teams, so team members can focus on their patients’ care.
CF Foundation Compass can help you navigate insurance, financial, legal, and other issues you are facing. Use this online form to start your conversation with a Compass case manager today.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for CF and supports a broad range of research initiatives to tackle the disease from all angles.
The CF Foundation offers a number of resources for learning about clinical trials and treatments that are being developed to improve the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Our understanding of CF continues to evolve as scientists study what causes the disease and how it affects the body. These insights drive the development of new and better treatments and bring us one step closer to a cure.
Researchers, supported by the CF Foundation, have made tremendous advances to improve the health and quality of life of people with CF. We are committed to providing the tools and resources you need to continuously build upon this work.
While germs cannot be completely avoided, there are many things you can do to help reduce the risk of getting or spreading germs.
Article
Blog Post
7 Ways to Guard Against Germs in Health Care Settings
Regular CF care center visits are important to maintain your health. These seven tips are intended to help you make informed decisions to protect yourself and others from catching and spreading germs while at a care center visit, in the hospital or in any other health care setting.
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8 Ways to Guard Against Germs in Everyday Life
Germs are everywhere, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting sick. These eight tips are intended to keep you informed so you can make the best decisions for yourself.
How Can You Reduce the Risk of Cross-infection?
Medical studies show that people with CF are at particular risk of spreading certain germs among others with the disease. This kind of cross-infection can be prevented by limiting physical contact between people with CF.
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Germs and CF: The Facts
IPC Passport Card
Use this card to help hospital staff help you reduce the risk of cross-infection when you receive care outside your CF care center.
Resource
3 Steps for Health Animation
Although people with CF are at greater risk of infection because of the disease, this animation shows you the three simple things you can do to avoid germs and infections.
Share With Those Who Care Animation
Balancing CF with your social life can be complicated. Share the third animation in our “Germ Smart” series to help family and friends understand.
Get Germ Smart Animation
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at greater risk of getting lung infections because thick, sticky mucus builds up in their lungs, allowing germs to thrive and multiply. Watch this animation to learn how to Get Germ Smart.
When There’s More Than One Person With CF at School
If there is more than one person with CF in the same school or classroom, these recommendations can help minimize the spread of germs between people with CF.
Get Germ Smart Poster
Preventing infections is a team effort. Hang this poster where others can learn how to get germ smart.
3 Steps for Health Poster
People with CF face increased risk of infection. This poster will show others the three simple steps they can take to avoid germs and infections.
For Clinicians: 11 Ways to Guard Against Germs in Health Care Settings
These tips are based on recommendations from the Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for CF. They are intended for health care providers to help people with CF guard against germs in the health care setting.
Attendance Policy For CF Foundation Events
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has an attendance policy for all Foundation events, meetings, and offices that is meant to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading dangerous germs.
9 Healthy Tips I Swear By for Flu Season
It's that dreaded time again ... Cough, cough, sneeze … Yuck! I’m prepared, though. And you can be too. Check out the top nine tips I swear by for staying healthy during cold and flu season.
Insurance, financial, legal, and other issues. A dedicated, knowledgeable CF Foundation Compass case manager is ready to work with you one-on-one.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
4550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 1100 N Bethesda, MD 20814
301-951-4422
800-344-4823 (toll free)
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