At the risk, of having you all hate me, I must try again to convince Joe and any others who are on the fence -- that the worst possible thing would be exposing his BABY, your child, or a CF person to smoke of ANY kind. To the people who want to camp no matter what the facts are, this post is NOT for you.
Babies with CF are born with NORMAL LUNGS. But soon after birth, inflammation and infection damage them. There are lots of things that cause inflammation. You can protect the lungs. This is one of the KEY ways to stay well. Avoid inflammation which in turn can prevent and lessen the incidences of infection.
Joe, since you asked: It may be true that people have different opinions on whether to expose someone with C.F., much less a BABY to camping, and particularly smoke from fires. But these are the FACTS:
The facts: Smoke from theses fires produce fine particulate matter that penetrate deep into the lungs causing serious damage. And it is particularly dangerous for children because they have smaller lungs and their immune systems are less mature. Also, the lungs are the only organ in the body that has no protective covering. What you breathe goes directly to the lungs. And standing away from a campfire will make no difference. The particulates are in the air. You or your child are breathing them in - they are not diluted in any way.
Did you know that a recent study showed a genetic connection between second hand smoke and people with CF?
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered the first genetic evidence that secondhand smoke can worsen lung disease. The report in a recent Journal of the American Medical Association describes one gene variation that can weaken lung function as well as SHORTEN THE LIFESPAN of those affected by cystic fibrosis and also are exposed to secondhand smoke. (Can you imagine what damage A CAMPFIRE would do?)
This is the first of it's kind to even show there is DNA evidence that predisposes people with cystic fibrosis to smoke - shortening their lifespan, not to mention quality of life.
Smoke permanently damages lungs. This is a disease with a median lifespan of 37. You must do everything possible to prevent decline to live a much longer, healthier life. Past 37!
And by saying that it doesn't bother someone or that they cough slightly? Or that they have mild CF? Smoke exposure affects you in an irreversible way.
I had NO C.F. symptoms at all until I was 21. And at one point my disease progressed to a stage of being transplantable with bronchiectasis and an FEV1 of 32%, coughing up CUPS of blood. This does not happen overnight! I have worked so hard to make it back from there. I have extensive lung damage that could have been been prevented. I know EVERY exposure is cumulative.
The people who are severe didn't just wake up one morning and suddenly were extreme. I know someone on this site who was very mild and his CF was triggered after a campfire. (I can PM you his name). And he is not the only one I can cite you.
Some things are not necessary or worth it. Camping is not worth it. There are things to make a childhood great without knowingly contributing to lung damage. Because once those exacerbations begin or a lifetime of IV meds begins, you will kick yourself. I have been on both ends of the spectrum. Being sick all the time sucks. Sorry for the bluntness.
As a parent, you would put a helmet on your child if they were riding a bike. Why wouldn't you protect their lungs - which have a genetic predisposition for weakness.
Barbecue/campfire smoke has NEVER made me cough. And I never noticed any connection between any campfire/barbeque and exacerbations in the past. But now I get sick soon after even the slightest exposure. That's what eventually happens. And if people are getting sick, they cannot say smoke is not a contributing factor.
I love nature, but my doctor said it is imperative to be out enjoying nature where the air is clean -- places like Colorado, New Mexico, or near the beach. And getting away from City air? Smoke is NOT fresh air.
Greenery and dampness, pollen, fungus, molds, not great for lungs. You will see that people on this site who move to damp climates with a lot of greenery around start getting sick.
Remember, even if there is no immediate reaction, these kinds of exposures build, making the lungs more vulnerable to exacerbations. And when this happens, the real problems with CF kick in.