Saturday, November 21, 2020
Smokers likely to be more Vulnerable to Corona virus - A recent Study
A recent study showed that exposure to cigarette smoke makes airway cells more susceptible to infection with the emerging corona virus (Covid-19). Smokers are not just at high risk for respiratory issues and cancer, but also more vulnerable to developing Corona virus than others.
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, obtained airway lining cells from 5 individuals without coronavirus and exposed some cells to cigarette smoke in test tubes, and then exposed all the cells to the virus.
- While compared to cells that were not exposed to smoke, the cells exposed to smoke were two or three times more likely to be infected with the Covid-19, and the analysis of each individual's airway cells showed that its severity, cigarette smoke reduces the immune response to the virus, as per Reuters. Trending : Return to normal conditions does not mean the end of Corona virus risk
- Experts also believe, smokers not only vulnerable to infected with corona virus, they also run a high risk of transmission to others.
- According to World Health Organization (WHO), Corona virus is an infectious disease that primarily attacks the lungs. Smoking harms lung function making it harder for the body to fight off viruses and other diseases. Read : List of chronic diseases that mostly affected by Corona virus
- Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes which put people with these conditions at higher risk for developing severe illness when infected with Corona virus. Researchers suggests that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death.
