Our airways, nose and sinuses are lined with microscopic, moving hair-like structures called cilia. These hairs beat in rhythm like “the wave” at a sports stadium. Cilia help move mucus (along with the bacteria, dust and pollutants trapped in it) to the mouth and nose where it can be swallowed or coughed out.
In children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), the cilia either don't move at all or move in an uncoordinated way. This leads to bacteria to getting stuck in the airways, leading to chronic bacterial infection and long-term airway damage.
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| Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) |