Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Quiz
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Periodic fever (>100.4°F / 38°C)
Shortness of breath in the morning
Wake up because of cough
Diarrhea
Bloating
Have a runny nose
Constipation
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs in the body.
Typical Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
- Discharge of yellow or green sputum.
- Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing
- Difficulty breathing that is worse at night or early morning
- Recurrent fever episodes
- Sudden, violent bursts of coughing
- Unable to gain weight
- Coughing attacks that make the face turn red
- Stool smells different or strange
Diagnostic Questions for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have yellow or green sputum?
- Do you experience wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing?
- Is your difficulty breathing worse at night or early morning?
- Do you have recurrent fever episodes?
- Do you have sudden, violent bursts of coughing?
Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms, minimize complications, and enhance quality of life. Treatment consists of medications, chest physical therapy, lung rehabilitation, and surgery.
Reviewed By:
Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)
Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.
Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)
Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
Content updated on Dec 5, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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With a free 3-min Cystic Fibrosis (CF) quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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- Whistling when I breathe
- Respiratory wheeze
- Loud breathing
- Stridor
Symptoms Related to Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Diseases Related to Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
FAQs
Q.
Is it CF? Why Your Lungs are Struggling and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Cystic fibrosis is one possible cause of chronic cough with thick mucus, repeated lung or sinus infections, shortness of breath, and digestive issues, but asthma and other conditions can look similar. There are several factors to consider, and important details below could change which next steps you take. The only way to know is medically approved testing with a clinician, typically a sweat chloride test and CFTR genetic testing plus lung function tests and imaging, and urgent symptoms like severe breathlessness, chest pain, high fever, or coughing blood need immediate care; for step by step actions, referrals to a CF center, and treatment options including airway clearance, antibiotics, nutrition support, and CFTR modulators, see the complete answer below.
References:
* Tluczek A, Young A, Kosek D, Modaff P, Sosnay PR. Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis: Past, Present, and Future. J Pediatr. 2022 Dec;251:A1-A12. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.09.020. Epub 2022 Oct 1. PMID: 36323497.
* Davies JC, Alton EWFW, Bush A. Cystic fibrosis: an airway disease in the era of CFTR modulators. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021 May 20;7(1):36. doi: 10.1038/s41572-021-00277-3. PMID: 34017042.
* Lahiri T, Amin R, Bamo K, Boas SR, Chmiel JF, Daines C, Kiedrowski LA, Retsch-Bogart GZ, Shah AN, Soni P, Tarran R, VanDevanter DR, Sagel SD. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Pulmonary Guidelines: Optimizing Airway Clearance Therapies in Cystic Fibrosis. Chest. 2022 Dec;162(6):1273-1285. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.07.039. Epub 2022 Aug 12. PMID: 35964893.
* Ratjen F, Hug C. Cystic fibrosis: an update on current and future treatment options. Lancet Respir Med. 2020 Jan;8(1):79-91. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(19)30441-2. Epub 2019 Dec 11. PMID: 31839572.
* Massie RJ, Wilcken B, Ranieri E. Cystic fibrosis newborn screening: current landscape and future prospects. J Paediatr Child Health. 2021 Jun;57(6):783-789. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15426. Epub 2021 Mar 18. PMID: 33738871.
Q.
Cystic Fibrosis? Why Your Lungs Struggle and Medical Next Steps
A.
Cystic fibrosis makes lungs struggle because a faulty CFTR gene causes thick, sticky mucus that blocks airways, traps bacteria, and drives repeated infections and inflammation, leading to progressive breathing problems. Next steps include confirmatory testing like sweat chloride and CFTR genetic testing, referral to a specialized CF care team, daily airway clearance, targeted medications including antibiotics and CFTR modulators when eligible, nutrition support, vaccinations, regular monitoring, and consideration of advanced options like oxygen or transplant if needed. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete details that could change which next steps are right for you.
References:
* Davies JC, Alton EW. Update on cystic fibrosis lung disease: a review. Eur Respir Rev. 2021 Mar 31;30(159):200155. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0015-2020. PMID: 33795000; PMCID: PMC8043603.
* Mall MA, Griese M. Cystic fibrosis: An update on management. Lancet Respir Med. 2023 Jun;11(6):569-586. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00007-6. PMID: 36738622.
* Donaldson SH. CFTR Modulator Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis. N Engl J Med. 2022 Mar 31;386(13):1261-1272. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2112440. PMID: 35354093.
* Pelaez-Serra N, Pradas-Adell A, Cano-Ochando A, de Gracia J, Alvarez-Pitti J. Cystic Fibrosis Care: A Multidisciplinary Team Approach. Front Pediatr. 2020 Dec 1;8:567923. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.567923. PMID: 33330364; PMCID: PMC7736636.
* Flume PA, Elborn JS. Cystic fibrosis beyond CFTR modulation: emerging therapies and future directions. Lancet Respir Med. 2023 Mar;11(3):288-299. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00392-5. PMID: 36328003.
Q.
Sticky Lungs? Why Your Body Traps Mucus & Medically Approved Cystic Fibrosis Steps
A.
Sticky lungs from thick, hard-to-clear mucus can signal cystic fibrosis, where a CFTR gene defect disrupts salt and water movement so mucus thickens, traps bacteria, and drives repeat infections and lung damage over time. Medically approved steps include daily airway clearance, inhaled hypertonic saline and dornase alfa, mutation-specific CFTR modulators when eligible, rigorous infection management, and nutrition with enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins. There are several factors to consider and other causes of thick mucus exist, so see the complete guidance below for red flags and detailed next steps to review with your clinician.
References:
* Farrar, R., et al. "Cystic Fibrosis Mucus: A Complex and Dynamic Problem." *Int J Mol Sci*. 2021 Jul 2;22(13):7140. doi: 10.3390/ijms22137140. PMID: 34281143; PMCID: PMC8295627.
* Button, B., & Boucher, R. C. "Airway Mucus Clearance in Health and Disease." *Physiol Rev*. 2022 Jan 1;102(1):475-525. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00007.2020. PMID: 34180491; PMCID: PMC8753235.
* Davies, J. C. "Cystic fibrosis airway disease: current management and future therapies." *Lancet Respir Med*. 2023 Mar;11(3):298-311. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00392-1. Epub 2022 Dec 15. PMID: 36528742.
* Southern, K. W., et al. "Cystic fibrosis: Current and emerging therapies." *Paediatr Respir Rev*. 2022 Mar;42:150-156. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2021.11.002. Epub 2021 Nov 16. PMID: 34801458.
* Donaldson, S. H., & Boucher, R. C. "Advances in Therapies for Airway Mucus Hypersecretion in Chronic Lung Diseases." *Ann Am Thorac Soc*. 2021 Aug;18(8):1257-1268. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202010-1375FR. PMID: 34339179.
Q.
Cystic Fibrosis in Women 30-45: Key Signs & Your Next Steps
A.
Key signs of cystic fibrosis in women 30 to 45 include a persistent cough with thick mucus, recurrent chest or sinus infections, wheezing or shortness of breath, greasy bulky stools with bloating or weight loss, fertility challenges, and symptoms of CF-related diabetes. There are several factors to consider. See below for the full workup and next steps, including tracking symptoms, asking your doctor about a sweat chloride test and CFTR genetic testing, when to seek urgent care, and how treatments like airway clearance, pancreatic enzymes, and CFTR modulators can help.
References:
* Vargas-Ruiz AG, O'Callaghan-Gordo C, O'Connor-Gómez M. Sex Differences in Cystic Fibrosis. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2021 Nov 1;27(6):538-545. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000827. PMID: 34510196.
* Zar D, Szczepanik M, Krenke R. Delayed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in adults: a review. J Cyst Fibros. 2020 Jan;19(1):15-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2019.08.006. Epub 2019 Aug 24. PMID: 31451458.
* Patel MV, Singh A, Dunitz J, D'Orazio L, Quittell L. Reproductive Health in Women with Cystic Fibrosis: A Review. J Cyst Fibros. 2019 Jul;18(4):475-484. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2018.11.002. Epub 2018 Nov 14. PMID: 30449626.
* Gupta H, Khare S, Sahu S, Kumar V. Cystic Fibrosis in Adults: A Review of Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Adv Ther. 2022 Jul;39(7):3063-3081. doi: 10.1007/s12325-022-02187-5. Epub 2022 May 24. PMID: 35608670.
* O'Connor-Gómez M, Solé-Ribalta A, Giménez-Raya R. Cystic Fibrosis in Women. Clin Chest Med. 2017 Mar;38(1):145-156. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2016.11.006. PMID: 28153205.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
De Boeck, K., & Amaral, M. D. (2016). Progress in therapies for cystic fibrosis. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(16)00023-0/fulltextCastellani, C., & Assael, B. M. (2017). Cystic fibrosis: a clinical view. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00018-016-2393-9Ooi, C. Y., & Durie, P. R. (2016). Cystic fibrosis from the gastroenterologist's perspective. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrgastro.2015.226