Today, the average life span for people with CF who live to adulthood is about 44 years. Death is most often caused by lung complications.

Is cystic fibrosis always fatal?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic, progressive, and frequently fatal genetic (inherited) dis ease of the bodys mucus glands. CF pri marily affects the respiratory and digestive systems in children and young adults.

Is Cystic Fibrosis a terminal illness?

Background: Cystic fibrosis is no longer a terminal illness of childhood and mean survival is now over 30 years. Adult patients with atypical CF are increasingly being diagnosed.

Does cystic fibrosis shorten lifespan?

Summary: Cystic fibrosis shortens life by making the lungs prone to repeated bacterial infections and inflammation. Researchers have now shown for the first time that the lungs bacterial population changes in the first few years of life as respiratory infections and inflammation set in.