Smokers must quit during coronavirus pandemic

Smoking may increase the effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Health experts are calling on tobacco companies to quit smoking to stop producing tobacco products that help reduce the risk of COVID-19. A new study in China highlights the risk of smoking during a coronavirus pandemic.

The British Public Health Service has warned smokers as the new coronavirus targets the respiratory system. Smokers are more likely to develop severe cases of viral infection than nonsmokers.

Not only are smokers at increased risk of developing a severe disease caused by the COVID-19 virus, but their exposure to secondhand smoke also makes the people around them vulnerable. Children and toddlers are affected when any member of the household smokes a cigarette.

In addition, smokers may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 because they keep their hands close to their mouth when smoking.

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Smoking effect

Smoking is known to damage the lungs and airways. It also causes many serious respiratory problems. COVID-19 also attacks the respiratory system. According to a small Chinese study, people who smoke and become infected with the virus are 14 times more likely to develop the disease. The study, entitled “ Analysis of Factors Associated with Disease Outcome in Inpatients with New Coronavirus Disease in 2019, ” Chinese medicine magazine.

Researchers have investigated factors that affect the progression of pneumonia in COVID-19 patients. Several factors were identified that led to the development of COVID-19 pneumonia, including age, smoking history, maximum temperature at admission, respiratory failure, albumin, and C-reactive protein. These results can be used to assess the prognosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and find the best treatment.

Studies show that smoking weakens the immune system, making it difficult to respond effectively to infections. Smokers with lung disease or reduced lung volume are at increased risk of developing serious illness when infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 This scanning electron microscopy image revealed SARS-CoV-2 (yellow) (2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19) from the surface isolated from a patient in the United States Thing. Cells cultured in the laboratory (pink). Credit: NIAID-RML

“In the light of this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a more important time to stop smoking. Not only for your health, but also for protecting the people around you. “It can also help relieve the huge pressure on the NHS,” said John Newton, director of health improvement in the UK.

Smokers are already at risk for developing COVID-19 because their lung function is reduced, and smoking increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection because their fingers come into contact with their mouth. Also, smoking products such as water pipes usually involve the sharing of mouthpieces, a dangerous behavior during a coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports.

WHO further reports that tobacco has a significant effect on respiratory health. Studies have linked smoking to lung cancer, and tobacco use is the most common cause of lung cancer. Separately, it increases the risk of COPD, including emphysema. When a smoker becomes infected with SARS-CoV-2, he or she may experience mild to severe respiratory injury.

Health benefits of quitting smoking

People who quit smoking can benefit from the continued repair of their lungs. The longer a person smokes, the healthier the lungs.

After two days of cessation, carbon monoxide is removed from the body and the lungs can clear mucus from the inside. Smoke chemicals and debris are also removed. By 72 hours, people who have quit smoking may notice that they are more comfortable breathing. During this time the bronchial airways begin to relax. Between two and twelve weeks, your body circulation improves, making it easier to walk, run, or exercise.

Smoking cessation can also prevent other diseases caused by cigarette smoke, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, and lung cancer, among others. Smokers of these conditions may also experience serious illness when infected with a potentially fatal new coronavirus.

COVID-19 is a new disease that occurred in China in December 2019. Since then, it has spread to 184 countries and territories, affecting more than 1.33 million people and killing more than 82,000 people. The United States has more than 398,000 cases, and Spain, Italy, France, and Germany have reported increased cases, with more than 141,000, 135,000, 110,000, and 107,000 cases confirmed, respectively.