Smokers more vulnerable to COVID-19
Researches conducted at the University of Washington and the Stanford University School of Medicine have established an inverse relationship between the mortality rate due to COVID-19 and Smoking. This is the result of a study done across forty countries.
A regulatory body dealing with the issue warned that smokers are more likely to get infected by the Coronavirus. There is a high possibility of the transmission of the virus from hand to mouth. Apart from this World Health Organization(WHO) has already pointed out the threat smokers pose due to this virus. The official website of WHO mentioned that the smokers have a higher risk of getting infected by COVID-19.
Smoking causes lung disorders, hypertension, and several other respiratory dysfunctions. With this pandemic that targets the lungs of the victim, Smoking and Coronavirus surely don’t go hand in hand. There is evidence that proves that smokers are more vulnerable to COVID-19. They are more likely to develop severe symptoms or even die in some cases. Coronavirus is a matter of concern even to the people with good health. So, why are smokers more susceptible to COVID?
COVID-19 being transmitted through droplets, that is, it can advance by aerosolization. This means that there is a chance that a coronavirus can infect not only smokers but anyone in their proximity.
According to an expert, it is seen that Smoking decreases the inherent properties of the throat, trachea, and lungs. A single smoke is capable of reducing the immunity and also destroys the protective cells. That makes a person vulnerable to several other infections, let alone COVID-19. He added that Smoking increases blood pressure by 20 percent. Also, COVID-19 is seen to cause severe infections in people with high blood pressure.
As per a document, tobacco majors the risk of non-communicable diseases(NCDs), mainly four- cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes. It increases the possibility of developing severe illness when affected by COVID-19. The NCDs are responsible for about 63 percent of deaths in India, and this figure is expected to rise further. Chemicals in tobacco inhibit the effectiveness of the immune cells of the body.
Smoking reduces immunity, thereby causing the body’s capability to fight off diseases to reduce. It also impairs lung function. Such products increase the chances of pulmonary infection by damage to upper airways.
Smoking also hinders oral hygiene. Smoke kills certain bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for the prevention of infections. Smoking has increased among the masses in this problem-laden corona lockdown, taking a toll on their health. Necessary precautions won’t be enough if other health aspects are neglected. Excessive Smoking might worsen the health condition.
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