CYSTIC FIBROSIS – TREATMENT
The rest, about 15 per cent, are found when another child in the family is known to have the disease, and this is picked up during routine testing of the other children.
The diagnosis can be established by a special test, which estimates the salt content in the child’s sweat. It is a .difficult test to do, but can be done in the major pediatric centres.
These are located in the capital cities, but the Commonwealth Government is giving financial aid to the child and a parent for travel to a children’s hospital for testing, if they live more than 200 km outside the metropolitan area.
Unfortunately, there is no specific drug to counteract the effects of this disease.
Treatment involves antibiotics for each chest infection and regular physiotherapy to keep the lung free of secretion.
The child needs to be encouraged to take part in plenty of physical activity.
A modified intake of fat in the diet is necessary, and pancreatic enzymes, given as tablets or powders, are necessary for the digestion of food.
In summer, and during hot weather, extra salt must be taken to replace that lost in sweat.
The Australian Cystic Fibrosis Associations Federation is an active body of concerned parents, doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.
It is involved in raising funds for research and publicity in running camps for CF children, and for counselling parents of children who are duly diagnosed as having this disease.
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