Environmental risks of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-What to advise patients and parents

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) is commonly found in soil and water so is impossible to avoid completely. Parents/carers of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are concerned about them acquiring PsA from the environment, and different families view risk differently. Our ethos is to enable children with CF to take part as much as possible in educational and fun home activities, in order to maintain their quality of life (and their family's), and not have them feel different from other children. This review presents advice for families as to what they must definitely avoid, what they must take precautions with but can allow, and what they must not avoid. It is mostly evidence-based, but where evidence is lacking it a consensus view from the Paediatric CF Unit at the Royal Brompton Hospital.