is pulmonary fibrosis always fatal
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic irreversible and ultimately fatal disease characterized by a progressive decline in lung function. The term pulmonary fibrosis means scarring of lung tissue and is the cause of worsening dyspnea (shortness of breath). Fibrosis is usually associated with a poor prognosis.