If the tests show an infection, another days may be needed to choose the best antibiotic to treat it. Coughing to produce the sputum specimen may be mildly uncomfortable, but there are no risks associated with this procedure. Explaining the test in terms your child can understand might help ease any fear.
Also reassure your child that the procedure doesn't hurt. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What It Is Kids with cystic fibrosis CF tend to get frequent respiratory infections, sometimes caused by bacteria or fungi. Why It's Done A sputum culture can help identify specific causes of infections in the lungs and airways.
Sometimes these polyps must be taken out by a healthcare provider. Children with CF also often have sinus infections. Search Encyclopedia. Cystic Fibrosis and the Respiratory System How does cystic fibrosis affect the respiratory system? CF affects the respiratory system. So a child with CF may have these symptoms: Chronic cough Coughing up blood Collapsed lung A rounding and enlargement of the tips of the fingers and toes clubbing Frequent lung infections with thick phlegm Heart enlargement Nasal polyps Shortness of breath Inflamed nasal sinuses sinusitis.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Genetics Home Reference. Mayo Clinic; Rafeeq MM, et al. Cystic fibrosis: Current therapeutic targets and future approaches. Journal of Translational Medicine. Merck Manual Professional Version. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Simon RH. Cystic fibrosis: Overview of treatment of lung disease. Solomon M, et al. Nutritional issues in cystic fibrosis. Clinics in Chest Medicine. Savant AP, et al. Cystic fibrosis year in review , part 1.
Pediatric Pulmonology. Cystic fibrosis year in review , part 2. Brown A. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. June 14, Drug trials snapshots: Trikafta.
Food and Drug Administration. Accessed Dec. Trikafta prescribing information. A mutation in CFTR causes a dysfunction of the salt and water balance. This causes dehydration of the secretions thick mucous and excessive loss of salt in sweat. What is a carrier? A carrier is a person who only has one copy of the mutated gene. The parents of a child with CF each carry one CF gene and one normal gene.
They have no symptoms and no disease. How does CF occur? When each of the parents contributes a gene to their child, they could pass on either their CF gene or their non-CF gene.
Each pregnancy could result in one of three outcomes:. Can I find out if I have a CF gene? At the present time, carrier testing is available through a DNA test. If a family member has CF and the gene mutation is known, discovery of the CF gene in other family members can be made with great accuracy. The Human Genome Project. What happens in the lungs: The lungs are like an upside down tree: the trachea is the trunk, the bronchi are the main branches, the bronchioles are smaller branches, and the alveoli are the smallest little twigs and leaves.
Normally, tiny hair-like structures known as cilia remove mucus and other substances from the lungs, and bacteria are cleared out. But, because CF produces thick, sticky mucus, the cilia cannot sweep the lungs, and the bacteria remain. Mucus then builds up in the lungs, and lung function starts to drop.
It is this residual infection and poor lung functioning that can cause permanent lung damage over time. What treatment can be done: The basic daily care program varies to suit individual needs. These are some common pulmonary therapy treatments:.
What Is an Infection? An infection occurs when pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi invade tissues where they don't belong. Why Do People with CF have to worry about all this? People with CF have thick mucus which can trap microorganisms in the lungs. Thick mucus is hard to remove, so the microorganisms remain in the lungs, growing and reproducing. Once these organisms are established in the lungs, there are more frequent lung infections. Infection weakens the body and the immune system.
Repeated infections initiate a cycle of inflammation and infection which soon becomes a chronic condition. What is the digestive system? The mouth is the start of the digestive system. Saliva starts the digestive process. Food is chewed, swallowed, passes down the esophagus into the stomach where more digestion occurs. But, most digestion occurs in the small intestine. It is here that enzymes help break down food so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream and used for energy. Enzymes are secreted by the pancreas, a small gland located just above the small intestine.
The main job of the pancreas is to secrete these enzymes; it also is the place where insulin is made. After enzymes have broken the food down it is absorbed. Any food not broken down passes into the large intestine and is excreted. What happens in CF? Mucous plugs can block the pancreas and prevent enzymes from entering the small intestine, which leads to improper digestion of foods. Without these digestive juices, the intestines cannot absorb fats and proteins completely, so nutrients pass out of the body unused.
The stools become very large, lighter in color, greasy, and will float on top of the water in the toilet. Unabsorbed fats may also cause excessive intestinal "gas," an abnormally swollen belly, and abdominal pain or discomfort. Weight loss or difficulty maintaining adequate weight can occur.
Not all people with CF are pancreatic insufficient. What can be done?
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