Cystic Fibrosis affects approximately 10,000 children and adults in the UK and is the most common genetically inherited condition. As a young person you may have developed some understanding of what Cystic Fibrosis is and what it means for you.

Young people with Cystic Fibrosis are all very individual and your health might require different medications and treatments at different time points to someone the same age as you. Cystic Fibrosis complications can vary between people;some people might develop Cystic Fibrosis related diabetes while others might not for example. Your Cystic Fibrosis nurse specialist and team will support you to gain an excellent understanding of your particular health.

Genetics 

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition. This means you will have been born with it. It isn't something you develop or can catch. If you are not born with Cystic Fibrosis you will never have it, but you could be a gene carrier. However, some people with Cystic Fibrosis are not diagnosed until later in life.

For someone to be born with Cystic Fibrosis, both parents must carry the faulty gene. One in 25 people are carriers. If both your parents have the gene, there is a 25% chance they will have a child with Cystic Fibrosis, a 50% chance of a child being a gene carrier but not having Cystic Fibrosis and a 25% chance they will not have the Cystic Fibrosis gene. If you have siblings this might help you understand why they do or don't have Cystic Fibrosis.

You can talk to your Cystic Fibrosis team should you have any more questions, need advice or support about Cystic Fibrosis and how it affects you.