September 05, 2025

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs.

Over 40,000 people in the United States live with this condition ¹. But what exactly is CF? How does it affect the body? And what type of testing is available?

Check out the information below to learn more about CF and the testing options offered by HNL Lab Medicine.

 

 

What is cystic fibrosis? ²

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body. It is one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults. Approximately 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year ³.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) happens when a person inherits two copies of the CF gene variant, one from each parent. If a person has only one copy of the CF gene variant, they are called a carrier. Carriers do not have CF and usually do not have any health problems from it.

When two carriers have a child, each pregnancy has these chances:

  • 25% (1 in 4) chance the child will have CF
  • 50% (1 in 2) chance the child will be a carrier but will not have CF
  • 25% (1 in 4) chance the child will not be a carrier and will not have CF

 

How does CF affect the body? ²

CF causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs.

This leads to problems with breathing, digestion, and growth, as well as complications later in life.

Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Poor growth and trouble gaining weight
  • Salty-tasting skin
  • Digestive issues such as constipation, bloating, foul-smelling or mucus-filled stools, and weight loss
  • Frequent lung problems like coughing, excess mucus, sinus infections, and repeated pneumonia
  • Fatigue and low appetite
  • Later complications such as infertility (in men), pancreatitis, and clubbed fingers

 

What type of testing is available?

There are a few different ways cystic fibrosis (CF) can be detected:

  • Newborn screening – This test is  performed on all newborns shortly after birth to check for early signs of CF.
  • Sweat test – A simple test that measures the amount of salt in sweat. People with CF usually have higher levels of salt.
  • Genetic or carrier test – A blood or saliva test that looks at your genes to see if you have CF or if you are a carrier.

In addition to processing results for diagnostic testing, HNL Lab Medicine offers carrier screening for cystic fibrosis and an extended carrier screening panel that checks for many inherited conditions. Carrier screening can give you and your family important information about your health and help guide decisions when planning for the future.

 

Choose HNL Lab Medicine

Thanks to major medical advancements, cystic fibrosis is much more treatable today than it was in the past. Improved treatments and better testing have dramatically increased life expectancy.

Children born between 2019 and 2023 who have CF are expected to live an average of 61 years, and half of babies born in 2023 with CF are expected to reach at least 68 years of age ¹.

HNL Lab Medicine is your trusted partner for genetic and carrier screening. With our local partnerships, advanced testing options, and compassionate care, we make it easier to get the answers you need.

Talk to your healthcare provider today about whether CF carrier screening or extended carrier screening with HNL Lab Medicine is right for you. Testing is easy and can be completed at a location near you.

 

 

REFERENCES
¹ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2024, November 15). Cystic fibrosis. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cystic-fibrosis.
² National Library of Medicine. (2024, February 17). Cystic fibrosis. National Institutes of Health. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000107.htm.
³ Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (n.d.). About cystic fibrosis. https://www.cff.org/intro-cf/about-cystic-fibrosis.