If you have CF, you may need chest physiotherapy, which involves different techniques to help loosen the sticky mucus. Your CF physiotherapist will show you how to do this for yourself or for your child. Regular exercise may help to ease some of your symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, and can help you feel more confident. Talk to your CF nurse or CF physiotherapist about the best type of exercise for you.

Many people fin that the offer of counselling helps cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of your illness or your child's. You can access this through your CF team.

If you have CF, there is a chance your child could inherit the disease from you. Genetic counselling can offer reassurance and support if you're considering starting a family and want to understand any problems that may be involved

My cousin just did the cystic fibrosis screen but her father was a carrier of the gene, and unfortunately she is a carrier too test results. It might be good to check if there is any history of it in the family.

That is absolutely right. The advances in genetic engineering have meant that people no longer have to take their chances, they can find out for sure if they are carrying an hereditary disease. The other application is the ability to test and unborn foetus for a condition like CF offering the parents the option of terminating the pregnancy if the test proves positive.