Monday, February 15, 2021
Smoking and COVID-19:
Smoking can have serious implications if a person contracts COVID-19. COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, causing severe respiratory issues in some cases. Here's how smoking can exacerbate the risks associated with COVID-19:
1. Weakened Respiratory System:
Smoking damages the lungs and weakens the respiratory system, making it harder for the body to fight off respiratory infections. If someone who smokes contracts COVID-19, they are at a higher risk of developing severe respiratory symptoms, including pneumonia.
2. Reduced Lung Function:
Smoking reduces lung function, limiting the ability of the lungs to inhale oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. This decreased lung function can lead to more severe breathing difficulties if a person with a history of smoking contracts COVID-19.
3. Increased Risk of Complications:
Smokers are at an increased risk of developing complications if they contract COVID-19. Studies have shown that smokers, especially those with underlying health conditions, are more likely to experience severe symptoms, be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and require mechanical ventilation.
4. Weakened Immune System:
Smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, including viral infections like COVID-19. A compromised immune system can delay recovery and increase the risk of complications.
5. Spread of the Virus:
Smoking often involves touching the face, which can increase the risk of transferring the virus from contaminated surfaces to the face, facilitating its entry into the body.
Given these risks, it is strongly advisable for individuals, especially smokers, to quit smoking to reduce their vulnerability to severe illness from COVID-19. Quitting smoking can improve lung function and overall respiratory health, making it easier for the body to fight off infections, including respiratory viruses like the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
If you are a smoker and need support to quit, consider reaching out to healthcare professionals, helplines, or smoking cessation programs that can provide guidance and resources to help you quit smoking and improve your overall health, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.