As the coronavirus pandemic continues around the world, scientists have been able to do more research and discoveries about the causes of contagion. And now, a new study has revealed that young people and teens who smoke or vape are at higher risk of contracting the virus.
The research, conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health , conducted an anonymous survey among a large group of people between the ages of 13 and 24, across the country. In it, the consumption habits of electronic cigarettes and nicotine were analyzed, as well as the infections of SARS-CoV-2.
The results showed that the consumption of these products increases the risk of contagion. "If you use an e-cigarette you are five times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19," Bonnie Halpern-Felsher , a professor in the university's department of pediatrics and director of the study, told NBC News.
In addition, he highlighted that these statistics increase to seven times more dangerous when traditional cigarettes are consumed or nicotine is used in vapers.
Additionally, Dr. Halpern-Felsher explained that these factors have also been shown to aggravate symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain or shortness of breath.
"Adolescents and young adults need to know that if they smoke electronic cigarettes they have an imminent [and more serious] risk of contracting COVID-19, because you are basically damaging your lungs," said the specialist.
The researcher confessed that due to the type of sample that was taken, it was not possible to identify with certainty the causes that cause this high risk, but it could be related to the fact that, when taking cigarettes, whether electronic or traditional, the hands were They come very close to the mouth and may carry viruses.
Similarly, something that characterizes vaping is the production of a dense and visible smoke, which may also carry saliva particles, which can reach much further than those of a sneeze or cough.
Bonnie also warned that "young people believe that their age protects them from the virus or that they will not have severe symptoms of COVID-19, but the data shows that this is not true in the cases of boys who vape."
Meanwhile, other research conducted in the medical journal Thorax found that this habit is linked to greater inflammation in the lungs, complications from pneumonia and a longer infection in coronavirus patients.
In this study, the scientists noted that the vapor from the devices affects alveolar macrophages, a key part of lung activity whose main function is to defend the human body by identifying and removing foreign particles and cells. And with the lungs being less protected, the SARS-CoV-2 virus could enter them more easily and wreak more havoc.
That is why experts recommend reducing the consumption of electronic cigarettes, and also traditional ones, especially during the pandemic.
See also:
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