What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa)? | CAYSTON® (aztreonam for inhalation solution).

Pa is a potentially harmful bacteria that can be found in the lungs of nearly half of all people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Pa bacteria uses a weakened immune system as an opportunity to take over. This means those with CF are more likely to be infected.

When people with CF are infected with Pa, it can cause symptoms that make it harder to breathe.

Emily, treated with CAYSTON

Becoming more educated about Pa and its effects was the first step in treating it.”

See how Emily and other My Cayston Community members manage Pa.

How does aging affect the chances of getting Pa?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa age infection chart

What happens when Pa invades the lungs?

What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

You can develop chronic Pa

As Pa settles in the lungs, it can become a chronic infection, meaning it does not go away. This may worsen breathing symptoms and decrease FEV1.*

*FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) measures the amount of air that can be forcefully blown out in 1 second after taking a deep breath. Your doctor will give you a pulmonary function test to measure your FEV1.

Symptoms stick around

With chronic Pa infections, symptoms don't always go away. These symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and changes in the amount of mucus.

Progression can happen

Uninfected

Keep up with your cultures for Pa detection

Pa infection

Take your treatments as prescribed to help avoid chronic Pa

Chronic Pa

Continue taking treatments as prescribed to reduce long-term symptoms

People can be infected with either the non-mucoid or the mucoid strain of Pa. The mucoid strain is better able to survive within the lungs, making it harder to treat. While Pa can start out as the non-mucoid strain, it can progress over time to become the mucoid strain.

If left untreated, Pa can progress to become mucoid.

This more advanced form called mucoid Pa can:

  • Play a bigger role in lung disease progression
  • Be extremely difficult to treat and get rid of
  • Impair lung structure and function dramatically

How do I get ahead of my Pa?

Because Pa is so common and opportunistic in CF, early detection is key.

Taking treatments as prescribed may help you attack the infection in your lungs. Inhaled antibiotics are most often used for people with CF to help attack Pa infections in the lungs. It’s important to stay on track with these antibiotics, because untreated chronic Pa can lead to poorer health.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about detecting Pa infections early and often.

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