MRSA, Staph and Breastmilk

[LouLou]

I spoke with my son's cf doctor this morning and he said they don't want to do anything for the mrsa Isaac had show up in his throat culture. He said they wouldn't do anything in most situations of an cf infant showing up with mrsa unless there were symptoms. He was referring to cf infants that have signs of cf. He said since Isaac's CFTR is functioning (evident by his score of 12 on his sweat test) that only confirms that they don't want to do anything. He said that infants willl pick up what their mother has and also what is in their home. Their immune system will fight it and often not result in an infection. He reminded me how throat cultures will show this bug or that but that it doesn't necessarily mean it's in his lungs Also that it might not show up next time. He reminded me that many people are carriers (colonized) with mrsa and this might be (or become) the cause for my husband and son. No treatment is necessary and it will not result in them or others around them being more likely to get the skin lesion version.

In regards to breastfeeding he says it is best that I continue. He will be exposed to the mrsa from the household anyway and the benefits of the bf'ing are too much to give up. He said that mrsa is known to pass through breastmilk but that that doesn't change their thinking.

We go to CHOP and the cf team came to this decision in conjunction with the infectious disease dept.

My lactation consultant got back to me about her findings. I will post those next. I hope this helps someone. I am posting this in the Adult section because many are concerned about if they can be a threat to others. Hopefully this information relieves some stress.

 

[LouLou]

I spoke with my son's cf doctor this morning and he said they don't want to do anything for the mrsa Isaac had show up in his throat culture. He said they wouldn't do anything in most situations of an cf infant showing up with mrsa unless there were symptoms. He was referring to cf infants that have signs of cf. He said since Isaac's CFTR is functioning (evident by his score of 12 on his sweat test) that only confirms that they don't want to do anything. He said that infants willl pick up what their mother has and also what is in their home. Their immune system will fight it and often not result in an infection. He reminded me how throat cultures will show this bug or that but that it doesn't necessarily mean it's in his lungs Also that it might not show up next time. He reminded me that many people are carriers (colonized) with mrsa and this might be (or become) the cause for my husband and son. No treatment is necessary and it will not result in them or others around them being more likely to get the skin lesion version.

In regards to breastfeeding he says it is best that I continue. He will be exposed to the mrsa from the household anyway and the benefits of the bf'ing are too much to give up. He said that mrsa is known to pass through breastmilk but that that doesn't change their thinking.

We go to CHOP and the cf team came to this decision in conjunction with the infectious disease dept.

My lactation consultant got back to me about her findings. I will post those next. I hope this helps someone. I am posting this in the Adult section because many are concerned about if they can be a threat to others. Hopefully this information relieves some stress.

 

[LouLou]

I spoke with my son's cf doctor this morning and he said they don't want to do anything for the mrsa Isaac had show up in his throat culture. He said they wouldn't do anything in most situations of an cf infant showing up with mrsa unless there were symptoms. He was referring to cf infants that have signs of cf. He said since Isaac's CFTR is functioning (evident by his score of 12 on his sweat test) that only confirms that they don't want to do anything. He said that infants willl pick up what their mother has and also what is in their home. Their immune system will fight it and often not result in an infection. He reminded me how throat cultures will show this bug or that but that it doesn't necessarily mean it's in his lungs Also that it might not show up next time. He reminded me that many people are carriers (colonized) with mrsa and this might be (or become) the cause for my husband and son. No treatment is necessary and it will not result in them or others around them being more likely to get the skin lesion version.

In regards to breastfeeding he says it is best that I continue. He will be exposed to the mrsa from the household anyway and the benefits of the bf'ing are too much to give up. He said that mrsa is known to pass through breastmilk but that that doesn't change their thinking.

We go to CHOP and the cf team came to this decision in conjunction with the infectious disease dept.

My lactation consultant got back to me about her findings. I will post those next. I hope this helps someone. I am posting this in the Adult section because many are concerned about if they can be a threat to others. Hopefully this information relieves some stress.

 

[LouLou]

I spoke with my son's cf doctor this morning and he said they don't want to do anything for the mrsa Isaac had show up in his throat culture. He said they wouldn't do anything in most situations of an cf infant showing up with mrsa unless there were symptoms. He was referring to cf infants that have signs of cf. He said since Isaac's CFTR is functioning (evident by his score of 12 on his sweat test) that only confirms that they don't want to do anything. He said that infants willl pick up what their mother has and also what is in their home. Their immune system will fight it and often not result in an infection. He reminded me how throat cultures will show this bug or that but that it doesn't necessarily mean it's in his lungs Also that it might not show up next time. He reminded me that many people are carriers (colonized) with mrsa and this might be (or become) the cause for my husband and son. No treatment is necessary and it will not result in them or others around them being more likely to get the skin lesion version.

In regards to breastfeeding he says it is best that I continue. He will be exposed to the mrsa from the household anyway and the benefits of the bf'ing are too much to give up. He said that mrsa is known to pass through breastmilk but that that doesn't change their thinking.

We go to CHOP and the cf team came to this decision in conjunction with the infectious disease dept.

My lactation consultant got back to me about her findings. I will post those next. I hope this helps someone. I am posting this in the Adult section because many are concerned about if they can be a threat to others. Hopefully this information relieves some stress.

 

[LouLou]

I spoke with my son's cf doctor this morning and he said they don't want to do anything for the mrsa Isaac had show up in his throat culture. He said they wouldn't do anything in most situations of an cf infant showing up with mrsa unless there were symptoms. He was referring to cf infants that have signs of cf. He said since Isaac's CFTR is functioning (evident by his score of 12 on his sweat test) that only confirms that they don't want to do anything. He said that infants willl pick up what their mother has and also what is in their home. Their immune system will fight it and often not result in an infection. He reminded me how throat cultures will show this bug or that but that it doesn't necessarily mean it's in his lungs Also that it might not show up next time. He reminded me that many people are carriers (colonized) with mrsa and this might be (or become) the cause for my husband and son. No treatment is necessary and it will not result in them or others around them being more likely to get the skin lesion version.

In regards to breastfeeding he says it is best that I continue. He will be exposed to the mrsa from the household anyway and the benefits of the bf'ing are too much to give up. He said that mrsa is known to pass through breastmilk but that that doesn't change their thinking.

We go to CHOP and the cf team came to this decision in conjunction with the infectious disease dept.

My lactation consultant got back to me about her findings. I will post those next. I hope this helps someone. I am posting this in the Adult section because many are concerned about if they can be a threat to others. Hopefully this information relieves some stress.

 

[LouLou]

From Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC:

ILCA just had a similar question

Lawrence and Lawrence's seminal textbook Breastfeeding A Guide for
the Medical Profession (6th ed, 2005) indicates at page 1009 that
mothers with MRSA should breastfeed their babies, with Contact
Precautions (as defined by CDC). My quick search of PubMed revealed
this intriguing abstract (see below), where I have highlighted a
phrase of interest to those working with breastfeeding mothers:

Pediatr Int. 2003 Apr;45(2):238-45. Prevention of methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in neonates. Kitajima H.
Department of Neonatal Medicine, Osaka Medical Center, Izumi, Osaka,
Japan. kitajima@mch.pref.osaka.jp

Reports of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and normal newborn
nurseries in Japan were investigated, and various methods of
preventing transmission were evaluated. In the late 1980s, MRSA which
had spread in adult wards also invaded NICU. Very low birthweight or
premature infants had become the targets of MRSA infection and this
has now become a serious problem. Recent reports have revealed that
87% of major NICU in Japan have suffered from MRSA infections.
However, we have found that preventive measures can greatly reduce
the risk of a newborn being infected by a carrier, while also
controlling the disease caused by MRSA infection. Recently, MRSA
infections in normal newborn nurseries have also become a serious
problem in pediatric departments. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus which can colonize in the newborn baby just
after birth, is passed on to the newborn by carrier medical staff.
<b>**** It was found to be of great importance that infant's mothers
hold and nurse their babies immediately after birth, and start breast-
feeding while still in the delivery room. Furthermore, the most
appropriate and ideal newborn nursery is one where mother and child
are roomed together and there is little intervention by the
hospital.***** [emphasis added]</b> In neonatal care, it is of utmost
importance to treat carriers of MRSA bacteria, and to inhibit the
spread of the bacterium in babies by taking standard precautionary
measures.

PMID: 12709163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The recommendations above at least offer support for keeping these
breastfeeding mothers and babies together, and breastfeeding!

From Penny Soppas, MD

She should continue to breastfeed because the breastmilk will protect him from MRSA as well as all of its other benefits. Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers. But breastmilk promotes the healthy proportion of good to bad bacteria. I don't see any benefit of culturing the baby for anything as the baby is not sick and does not have a rash.


If your doctors have any questions, they are welcome to call me. Also, Ruth Lawrence, MD is at Univ. of Rochester and she will speak to other physicians.

 

[LouLou]

From Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC:

ILCA just had a similar question

Lawrence and Lawrence's seminal textbook Breastfeeding A Guide for
the Medical Profession (6th ed, 2005) indicates at page 1009 that
mothers with MRSA should breastfeed their babies, with Contact
Precautions (as defined by CDC). My quick search of PubMed revealed
this intriguing abstract (see below), where I have highlighted a
phrase of interest to those working with breastfeeding mothers:

Pediatr Int. 2003 Apr;45(2):238-45. Prevention of methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in neonates. Kitajima H.
Department of Neonatal Medicine, Osaka Medical Center, Izumi, Osaka,
Japan. kitajima@mch.pref.osaka.jp

Reports of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and normal newborn
nurseries in Japan were investigated, and various methods of
preventing transmission were evaluated. In the late 1980s, MRSA which
had spread in adult wards also invaded NICU. Very low birthweight or
premature infants had become the targets of MRSA infection and this
has now become a serious problem. Recent reports have revealed that
87% of major NICU in Japan have suffered from MRSA infections.
However, we have found that preventive measures can greatly reduce
the risk of a newborn being infected by a carrier, while also
controlling the disease caused by MRSA infection. Recently, MRSA
infections in normal newborn nurseries have also become a serious
problem in pediatric departments. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus which can colonize in the newborn baby just
after birth, is passed on to the newborn by carrier medical staff.
<b>**** It was found to be of great importance that infant's mothers
hold and nurse their babies immediately after birth, and start breast-
feeding while still in the delivery room. Furthermore, the most
appropriate and ideal newborn nursery is one where mother and child
are roomed together and there is little intervention by the
hospital.***** [emphasis added]</b> In neonatal care, it is of utmost
importance to treat carriers of MRSA bacteria, and to inhibit the
spread of the bacterium in babies by taking standard precautionary
measures.

PMID: 12709163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The recommendations above at least offer support for keeping these
breastfeeding mothers and babies together, and breastfeeding!

From Penny Soppas, MD

She should continue to breastfeed because the breastmilk will protect him from MRSA as well as all of its other benefits. Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers. But breastmilk promotes the healthy proportion of good to bad bacteria. I don't see any benefit of culturing the baby for anything as the baby is not sick and does not have a rash.


If your doctors have any questions, they are welcome to call me. Also, Ruth Lawrence, MD is at Univ. of Rochester and she will speak to other physicians.

 

[LouLou]

From Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC:

ILCA just had a similar question

Lawrence and Lawrence's seminal textbook Breastfeeding A Guide for
the Medical Profession (6th ed, 2005) indicates at page 1009 that
mothers with MRSA should breastfeed their babies, with Contact
Precautions (as defined by CDC). My quick search of PubMed revealed
this intriguing abstract (see below), where I have highlighted a
phrase of interest to those working with breastfeeding mothers:

Pediatr Int. 2003 Apr;45(2):238-45. Prevention of methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in neonates. Kitajima H.
Department of Neonatal Medicine, Osaka Medical Center, Izumi, Osaka,
Japan. kitajima@mch.pref.osaka.jp

Reports of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and normal newborn
nurseries in Japan were investigated, and various methods of
preventing transmission were evaluated. In the late 1980s, MRSA which
had spread in adult wards also invaded NICU. Very low birthweight or
premature infants had become the targets of MRSA infection and this
has now become a serious problem. Recent reports have revealed that
87% of major NICU in Japan have suffered from MRSA infections.
However, we have found that preventive measures can greatly reduce
the risk of a newborn being infected by a carrier, while also
controlling the disease caused by MRSA infection. Recently, MRSA
infections in normal newborn nurseries have also become a serious
problem in pediatric departments. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus which can colonize in the newborn baby just
after birth, is passed on to the newborn by carrier medical staff.
<b>**** It was found to be of great importance that infant's mothers
hold and nurse their babies immediately after birth, and start breast-
feeding while still in the delivery room. Furthermore, the most
appropriate and ideal newborn nursery is one where mother and child
are roomed together and there is little intervention by the
hospital.***** [emphasis added]</b> In neonatal care, it is of utmost
importance to treat carriers of MRSA bacteria, and to inhibit the
spread of the bacterium in babies by taking standard precautionary
measures.

PMID: 12709163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The recommendations above at least offer support for keeping these
breastfeeding mothers and babies together, and breastfeeding!

From Penny Soppas, MD

She should continue to breastfeed because the breastmilk will protect him from MRSA as well as all of its other benefits. Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers. But breastmilk promotes the healthy proportion of good to bad bacteria. I don't see any benefit of culturing the baby for anything as the baby is not sick and does not have a rash.


If your doctors have any questions, they are welcome to call me. Also, Ruth Lawrence, MD is at Univ. of Rochester and she will speak to other physicians.

 

[LouLou]

From Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC:

ILCA just had a similar question

Lawrence and Lawrence's seminal textbook Breastfeeding A Guide for
the Medical Profession (6th ed, 2005) indicates at page 1009 that
mothers with MRSA should breastfeed their babies, with Contact
Precautions (as defined by CDC). My quick search of PubMed revealed
this intriguing abstract (see below), where I have highlighted a
phrase of interest to those working with breastfeeding mothers:

Pediatr Int. 2003 Apr;45(2):238-45. Prevention of methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in neonates. Kitajima H.
Department of Neonatal Medicine, Osaka Medical Center, Izumi, Osaka,
Japan. kitajima@mch.pref.osaka.jp

Reports of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and normal newborn
nurseries in Japan were investigated, and various methods of
preventing transmission were evaluated. In the late 1980s, MRSA which
had spread in adult wards also invaded NICU. Very low birthweight or
premature infants had become the targets of MRSA infection and this
has now become a serious problem. Recent reports have revealed that
87% of major NICU in Japan have suffered from MRSA infections.
However, we have found that preventive measures can greatly reduce
the risk of a newborn being infected by a carrier, while also
controlling the disease caused by MRSA infection. Recently, MRSA
infections in normal newborn nurseries have also become a serious
problem in pediatric departments. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus which can colonize in the newborn baby just
after birth, is passed on to the newborn by carrier medical staff.
<b>**** It was found to be of great importance that infant's mothers
hold and nurse their babies immediately after birth, and start breast-
feeding while still in the delivery room. Furthermore, the most
appropriate and ideal newborn nursery is one where mother and child
are roomed together and there is little intervention by the
hospital.***** [emphasis added]</b> In neonatal care, it is of utmost
importance to treat carriers of MRSA bacteria, and to inhibit the
spread of the bacterium in babies by taking standard precautionary
measures.

PMID: 12709163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The recommendations above at least offer support for keeping these
breastfeeding mothers and babies together, and breastfeeding!

From Penny Soppas, MD

She should continue to breastfeed because the breastmilk will protect him from MRSA as well as all of its other benefits. Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers. But breastmilk promotes the healthy proportion of good to bad bacteria. I don't see any benefit of culturing the baby for anything as the baby is not sick and does not have a rash.


If your doctors have any questions, they are welcome to call me. Also, Ruth Lawrence, MD is at Univ. of Rochester and she will speak to other physicians.

 

[LouLou]

From Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC:

ILCA just had a similar question

Lawrence and Lawrence's seminal textbook Breastfeeding A Guide for
the Medical Profession (6th ed, 2005) indicates at page 1009 that
mothers with MRSA should breastfeed their babies, with Contact
Precautions (as defined by CDC). My quick search of PubMed revealed
this intriguing abstract (see below), where I have highlighted a
phrase of interest to those working with breastfeeding mothers:

Pediatr Int. 2003 Apr;45(2):238-45. Prevention of methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in neonates. Kitajima H.
Department of Neonatal Medicine, Osaka Medical Center, Izumi, Osaka,
Japan. kitajima@mch.pref.osaka.jp

Reports of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and normal newborn
nurseries in Japan were investigated, and various methods of
preventing transmission were evaluated. In the late 1980s, MRSA which
had spread in adult wards also invaded NICU. Very low birthweight or
premature infants had become the targets of MRSA infection and this
has now become a serious problem. Recent reports have revealed that
87% of major NICU in Japan have suffered from MRSA infections.
However, we have found that preventive measures can greatly reduce
the risk of a newborn being infected by a carrier, while also
controlling the disease caused by MRSA infection. Recently, MRSA
infections in normal newborn nurseries have also become a serious
problem in pediatric departments. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus which can colonize in the newborn baby just
after birth, is passed on to the newborn by carrier medical staff.
<b>**** It was found to be of great importance that infant's mothers
hold and nurse their babies immediately after birth, and start breast-
feeding while still in the delivery room. Furthermore, the most
appropriate and ideal newborn nursery is one where mother and child
are roomed together and there is little intervention by the
hospital.***** [emphasis added]</b> In neonatal care, it is of utmost
importance to treat carriers of MRSA bacteria, and to inhibit the
spread of the bacterium in babies by taking standard precautionary
measures.

PMID: 12709163 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The recommendations above at least offer support for keeping these
breastfeeding mothers and babies together, and breastfeeding!

From Penny Soppas, MD

She should continue to breastfeed because the breastmilk will protect him from MRSA as well as all of its other benefits. Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers. But breastmilk promotes the healthy proportion of good to bad bacteria. I don't see any benefit of culturing the baby for anything as the baby is not sick and does not have a rash.


If your doctors have any questions, they are welcome to call me. Also, Ruth Lawrence, MD is at Univ. of Rochester and she will speak to other physicians.

 

[wanderlost]

Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers

I have been thinking about this a lot. Each time Marlee gets a cold I think about PA. I know that it isn't a threat to non CFers, but I haven't had her genetically tested (and probably won't if she doesn't show symptoms - don't snark me please) and I sometimes wonder about passing it on to her.

 

[wanderlost]

Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers

I have been thinking about this a lot. Each time Marlee gets a cold I think about PA. I know that it isn't a threat to non CFers, but I haven't had her genetically tested (and probably won't if she doesn't show symptoms - don't snark me please) and I sometimes wonder about passing it on to her.

 

[wanderlost]

Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers

I have been thinking about this a lot. Each time Marlee gets a cold I think about PA. I know that it isn't a threat to non CFers, but I haven't had her genetically tested (and probably won't if she doesn't show symptoms - don't snark me please) and I sometimes wonder about passing it on to her.

 

[wanderlost]

Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers

I have been thinking about this a lot. Each time Marlee gets a cold I think about PA. I know that it isn't a threat to non CFers, but I haven't had her genetically tested (and probably won't if she doesn't show symptoms - don't snark me please) and I sometimes wonder about passing it on to her.

 

[wanderlost]

Babies tend to pick up the population of bacteria that their families have especially their mothers

I have been thinking about this a lot. Each time Marlee gets a cold I think about PA. I know that it isn't a threat to non CFers, but I haven't had her genetically tested (and probably won't if she doesn't show symptoms - don't snark me please) and I sometimes wonder about passing it on to her.

 

[LouLou]

She probably doesn't have cf. If she doesn't have cf the PA won't phase her. If she does have cf there's nothing you can do about her exposure to PA. Did your husband get any sort of carrier screening ever? If you get her tested you can relieve ever worrying about it. That was my thinking at least. I wanted to close the book on cf and Isaac. If she does have it, you don't HAVE to change how you treat her but then if it does turn into a cold that gets chesty and doesn't go away on its own as fast as it should you and the dr will know what medicine to hit it with.

For our son, we personally wouldn't want to wait until he is showing cf symptoms to treat cf. We are in the process of acquiring all the cf gear for babies so in the event that he gets a chest cold that after 3-4 days doesn't seem to be resolving itself we can do pt and albuterol. Honestly though if he starts coughing with the knowledge of his 2 mutations we will likely start pt ASAP. As the dr told us. Just think how many kids are doing albuterol these days with the rise of asthma...and the chest pt can't hurt.

Yes, it stings that we even are in this situation but for us knowledge is power. We're glad we know. And since his CFTR is considered functioning they do not recommend preventative care because it is not known when he will ever have symptoms. Of course, I hope never!

I don't judge you for not testing just not personally how we handled it.

 

[LouLou]

She probably doesn't have cf. If she doesn't have cf the PA won't phase her. If she does have cf there's nothing you can do about her exposure to PA. Did your husband get any sort of carrier screening ever? If you get her tested you can relieve ever worrying about it. That was my thinking at least. I wanted to close the book on cf and Isaac. If she does have it, you don't HAVE to change how you treat her but then if it does turn into a cold that gets chesty and doesn't go away on its own as fast as it should you and the dr will know what medicine to hit it with.

For our son, we personally wouldn't want to wait until he is showing cf symptoms to treat cf. We are in the process of acquiring all the cf gear for babies so in the event that he gets a chest cold that after 3-4 days doesn't seem to be resolving itself we can do pt and albuterol. Honestly though if he starts coughing with the knowledge of his 2 mutations we will likely start pt ASAP. As the dr told us. Just think how many kids are doing albuterol these days with the rise of asthma...and the chest pt can't hurt.

Yes, it stings that we even are in this situation but for us knowledge is power. We're glad we know. And since his CFTR is considered functioning they do not recommend preventative care because it is not known when he will ever have symptoms. Of course, I hope never!

I don't judge you for not testing just not personally how we handled it.

 

[LouLou]

She probably doesn't have cf. If she doesn't have cf the PA won't phase her. If she does have cf there's nothing you can do about her exposure to PA. Did your husband get any sort of carrier screening ever? If you get her tested you can relieve ever worrying about it. That was my thinking at least. I wanted to close the book on cf and Isaac. If she does have it, you don't HAVE to change how you treat her but then if it does turn into a cold that gets chesty and doesn't go away on its own as fast as it should you and the dr will know what medicine to hit it with.

For our son, we personally wouldn't want to wait until he is showing cf symptoms to treat cf. We are in the process of acquiring all the cf gear for babies so in the event that he gets a chest cold that after 3-4 days doesn't seem to be resolving itself we can do pt and albuterol. Honestly though if he starts coughing with the knowledge of his 2 mutations we will likely start pt ASAP. As the dr told us. Just think how many kids are doing albuterol these days with the rise of asthma...and the chest pt can't hurt.

Yes, it stings that we even are in this situation but for us knowledge is power. We're glad we know. And since his CFTR is considered functioning they do not recommend preventative care because it is not known when he will ever have symptoms. Of course, I hope never!

I don't judge you for not testing just not personally how we handled it.

 

[LouLou]

She probably doesn't have cf. If she doesn't have cf the PA won't phase her. If she does have cf there's nothing you can do about her exposure to PA. Did your husband get any sort of carrier screening ever? If you get her tested you can relieve ever worrying about it. That was my thinking at least. I wanted to close the book on cf and Isaac. If she does have it, you don't HAVE to change how you treat her but then if it does turn into a cold that gets chesty and doesn't go away on its own as fast as it should you and the dr will know what medicine to hit it with.

For our son, we personally wouldn't want to wait until he is showing cf symptoms to treat cf. We are in the process of acquiring all the cf gear for babies so in the event that he gets a chest cold that after 3-4 days doesn't seem to be resolving itself we can do pt and albuterol. Honestly though if he starts coughing with the knowledge of his 2 mutations we will likely start pt ASAP. As the dr told us. Just think how many kids are doing albuterol these days with the rise of asthma...and the chest pt can't hurt.

Yes, it stings that we even are in this situation but for us knowledge is power. We're glad we know. And since his CFTR is considered functioning they do not recommend preventative care because it is not known when he will ever have symptoms. Of course, I hope never!

I don't judge you for not testing just not personally how we handled it.

 

[LouLou]

She probably doesn't have cf. If she doesn't have cf the PA won't phase her. If she does have cf there's nothing you can do about her exposure to PA. Did your husband get any sort of carrier screening ever? If you get her tested you can relieve ever worrying about it. That was my thinking at least. I wanted to close the book on cf and Isaac. If she does have it, you don't HAVE to change how you treat her but then if it does turn into a cold that gets chesty and doesn't go away on its own as fast as it should you and the dr will know what medicine to hit it with.

For our son, we personally wouldn't want to wait until he is showing cf symptoms to treat cf. We are in the process of acquiring all the cf gear for babies so in the event that he gets a chest cold that after 3-4 days doesn't seem to be resolving itself we can do pt and albuterol. Honestly though if he starts coughing with the knowledge of his 2 mutations we will likely start pt ASAP. As the dr told us. Just think how many kids are doing albuterol these days with the rise of asthma...and the chest pt can't hurt.

Yes, it stings that we even are in this situation but for us knowledge is power. We're glad we know. And since his CFTR is considered functioning they do not recommend preventative care because it is not known when he will ever have symptoms. Of course, I hope never!

I don't judge you for not testing just not personally how we handled it.