Cross-infection is an issue of considerable concern for the CF community. Those with CF attract different bacteria or 'bugs' that grow in their lungs. These 'bugs' are rarely harmful to those who do not have CF but may be harmful to others who have CF but who do not have the same 'bugs'.

This became a real problem in the 1990s in relation to Burkholderia cepacia complex, some strains of which can cause a very serious health problem in those with Cystic Fibrosis. It was agreed that those with B. cepacia complex should be segregated from other people with Cystic Fibrosis. It subsequently emerged that there are several strains of B. cepacia complex and some are more serious than others so people with B. cepacia complex were then further segregated according to the strain they had.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is another 'bug' people with CF regularly acquire, mostly from the environment. This can usually be eradicated or kept at bay with early antibiotic treatment. It is expected that CF patients will pick up Pseudomonas from time to time. There are thousands of different strains of Pseudomonas. If this 'bug' gets well established and starts to become resistant to antibiotics, it can cause problems.

There is some concern that CF patients are more likely to pick up strains of Pseudomonas from each other that are more difficult to treat than strains picked up from the environment. For this reason, CF Centres and Clinics are now encouraged to offer separate clinics for CF patients according whether or not they have Pseudomonas and if so, whether the particular strain is known to be transmissible, that is, has been shown to have the ability under some circumstances to pass from patient to patient.

'Bugs' such as B. cepacia complex and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be transmitted from person to person by close personal contact, such as sharing rooms, sharing medical equipment, sharing cutlery or crockery, and by kissing or coughing.

There is little risk of transmission of 'bugs' in an outdoor environment, but travelling with other people with CF in a car or a coach, or meeting them socially would introduce a higher level of risk.

You can find more information on Pseudomonas and B. cepacia complex in our Consensus Documents available in the publications library.