Symptoms and Testing

Symptoms of cystic fibrosis are different for everyone.

Depending on the severity of the disease, some people may not even experience symptoms until adolescence or adulthood. Symptoms can also worsen or improve over time.CF symptoms can affect both the respiratory and digestive systems including:

• Salty-tasting skin
• Persistent cough and excessive mucus
• Frequent lung infections
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Poor weight gain and growth
• Foul-smelling, greasy stools
• Frequent greasy, bulky stools or difficulty in bowel movements
• Severe constipation
• Stomach aches
• Vitamin deficiency

Testing

Newborns

All 50 states and the District of Columbia screen newborns for cystic fibrosis within three days after birth.

Testing identifies babies who are at high risk of having CF. If a baby has a positive screening for CF, a painless sweat test usually follows to rule out or confirm a CF diagnosis.

Visit the Mayo Clinic for more testing information.

Adults

Adults may also seek genetic testing for CF to help identify carriers who could pass the disease onto their children. Genetic testing is also available to confirm a CF diagnosis in adults.

Visit the WebMD site for more testing information.