Peter J. Mogayzel, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.

Peter J. Mogayzel, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.

Director, Cystic Fibrosis Center

Medical Director,
Pediatric Lung Transplantation Program

How did I get CF?
CF is s genetic disease which means that the DNA, which contains instructions for everything in your body, has a mistake. The mistake in your DNA is in a gene that makes channel a that allows salt to go in and out of the cells in your body. Because salt can’t move in and out of cells the right way the mucus in your body is too thick and sticky and this is what causes CF.

How can you tell when someone has CF?
Everybody with CF has problems with their lung and sinuses. Many kids cannot gain enough weight. These problems are clues to figuring out if someone has CF. You are born with CF, but sometimes it is not obvious that you have it until you are older. The sweat test is the best way to look for CF. This test measures the amount of salt in your sweat. This test works well because kids with CF have more salt in their sweat that the average kid.

Will I always have CF?
Yes. You were born with CF and you will have it for your whole life.

How can I stay healthy?
The best way to stay healthy is to eat a well balanced diet, get lots of exercise and take the medicines that your doctor has prescribed. You also need to perform airway clearance every day to help clear mucus from your lungs. Doing these things every day will keep you as healthy as possible.