CA
A 33-year-old member asked:
Could a 49 year old develop cystic fibrosis?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Aaron Milstoneanswered
Pulmonology 29 years experience
Yes and No: Patients are born with cystic fibrosis. However it can take many years for the disease to become apparent in some patients. Thus, it is possible to be diagnosed with CF later in life but not to develop CF later in life.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. William Walsh commented
Addiction Medicine 19 years experience
49 would be an usually late age to diagnose the disease, but a variant of the disease could appear that late in life, conceivably.
Jan 8, 2012

Dr. William Walshanswered
Addiction Medicine 19 years experience
Detection: It is possible to have a mild variant of CF that is detected later in life; 49 would likely be the oldest so declared. The gene that codes for the sodium-chloride transporter can be mutated in various ways that cause cf. If you do have cf, the disease was present all your life but mild enough that you did not notice until later on.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Carlo Hatem commented
Pulmonary Critical Care 27 years experience
I have seen a patient who was not diagnosed until he was in his late 50's. He had been treated for COPD for many years.
Mar 7, 2012
Similar questions
A 43-year-old member asked:
Might it be that a 49 year old develop cystic fibrosis?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jennifer Diaboanswered
Pediatrics 24 years experience
Unlikely: At age 49, a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis would be very unlikely. That being said, a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, which is different from cf, could be possible, and generally occurs later in life. Pulmonary fibrosis can give the same signs and symptoms as cf. You can experience shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, and weight loss. Smoking is a risk factor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Is it possible for a 50 year old man to have cystic fibrosis and not know it?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Jennifer Diaboanswered
Pediatrics 24 years experience
Unlikely: At age 49, a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis would be very unlikely. That being said, a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, which is different from cf, could be possible, and generally occurs later in life. Pulmonary fibrosis can give the same signs and symptoms as cf.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
What to look for to see if my 4 year old has symptoms of cystic fibrosis?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Stinky poo: If your kid has poop that will clear a room from the stinky smell, and the sweat tastes like salt i might consider that diagnosis. Most will be well into those symptoms by 4. If your kid only has recurrent respiratory issues its more likely from other origins like allergies or asthma. Share your concerns with your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Amrita Dosanjh commented
Pediatric Allergy and Asthma 38 years experience
In addition, if there is a concern about her growth, cough, sinus disease, CF should be considered. It may be asthma, but the screening test to begin with is a Sweat Chloride test at a local children's hospital.
Jun 29, 2014
Last updated Jun 10, 2014
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.