In Australia, one in 2,500 babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis, that’s one every four days. On Average, one in 25 people carry the CF gene and most are unaware that they are carries. Because carriers of CF are unaffected and therefore show no symptoms, it is hard for them to appreciate that CF may be a real risk.

CF primarily affects the lungs and digestive system because of a malfunction in the exocrine system, responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus. People with CF develop and abnormal amount of excessively think and sticky mucus within the lung, airways and digestive system. This causes impairment of the digestive functions of the pancreas and traps bacteria in the lungs resulting in recurrent infections, leading to irreversible damage. Lung failure is the major cause of death for someone with CF.

From birth, a person with CF undergoes constant medical treatments and physiotherapy.

Any of us could be a carrier and we wouldn’t know. Think about it, that’s about 1 million unaware carriers – it could be you!

Source: www.cysticfibrosis.org.au