Cystic fibrosis in the general practitioner’s office

Cystic fibrosis as a systemic disease requires multidisciplinary care. It should be coordinated by a cystic fibrosis centre. It provides care from the moment of diagnosis through the entire patient’s life, ensuring, among others, multidisciplinary consultations, control tests, and access to specialists in various fields. The general practitioner also has an enormous role in taking care of a patient with cystic fibrosis, and has the ability to monitor the patient’s clinical condition and treatment in the place of residence. In each case of symptoms suggesting cystic fibrosis, even in children covered by neonatal screening, he/she should direct patients for further diagnostics, including sweat tests. Due to contact with the family, it plays a huge role in implementing the principles of prevention and health promotion. Vaccinations according to a vaccination program, both obligatory and recommended, are extremely important in protecting patients against infections. It should be noted that in a patient who is in a stable condition, both chronic oral and inhaled antibiotics do not constitute a contraindication to vaccination. Separate rules also apply to the treatment of respiratory tract infections in which, in contrast to the general population, antibiotic therapy should be used earlier, in larger doses, and for a longer time. The following are the guidelines for taking care of cystic fibrosis patients in the general practitioner’s office.