One of the most prominent questions on our minds today is whether certain individuals are more vulnerable to contracting the Coronavirus. Each of us wants to ensure that our loved ones are protected, so we want to know who is at increased risk. According to the CDC, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised health are highly vulnerable. Other at-risk individuals include addicts, people who rely on regular health care visits for treatments, and individuals who smoke cigarettes or use vaping devices. Does this mean there is a direct connection between vaping and Coronavirus risks?
Is There a Link Between Vaping and Coronavirus Risks?
For decades, smokers have been warned about the dangers of cigarettes. The damage inflicted on a person’s lungs by nicotine products is undeniable and can be deadly. Conditions such as emphysema, COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, and lung cancer are potentially the end result of inhaling the chemicals on a regular basis. But, in recent years, another smoking option became available that was supposedly a safer alternative to cigarettes or cigars. Those devices are known as e-cigarettes and the practice is known as vaping.
In the beginning, most individuals switched to e-cigarettes to help them limit their cigarette use or to aid in quitting smoking altogether. However, experts have concluded through many trials and studies that vaping products can be as dangerous as traditional products. This is particularly concerning in view of the fact that vaping is extremely popular among teenagers and young adults today. For instance:
- In 2018, 37% of middle and high school students reported using vaping devices
- The number of teens using e-cigarettes jumped from 2.1 million in 2017 to 3.6 million in 2018
- About 7 million adults over age 18 use e-cigarettes
Smoking in any form compromises the ability of the lungs to fight infection and deliver much-needed oxygen to the body. In addition to this complication, smokers are warned about being more vulnerable to the Coronavirus because it attacks a person’s lungs.
Other Dangers of Vaping You Need to Know
The FDA’s regulation of e-cigarettes is still in progress and many questions still need answers. However, the evidence points strongly toward the risk of severe lung disease as a result of using these products. Here are some of the other health effects that are of great concern:
- Some e-cigarette fluids contain nicotine which is highly addictive.
- Chemicals in the vapors of e-cigarettes cause increased cancer risks.
- Teens who vape are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes.
- Many people have experienced acute nicotine poisoning from e-cigarettes.
- Burns and explosions have occurred while recharging of the devices due to defective batteries.
- Vaping by pregnant women can cause harm to a developing fetus.
The FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation method. Many smokers who vape use both products simultaneously, so they are defeating their purpose. However, some people have succeeded in quitting cigarettes with the help of vaping devices, but this is not something that can be counted on to work for everyone.
According to the American Lung Association:
“Symptoms of coronavirus illness vary depending on the specific virus. For the milder strains, respiratory symptoms like a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and fatigue are common. If the infection progresses to something more severe, it can cause pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney failure, and even death. This is more likely to happen in children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.”
With the potential dangers of respiratory problems arising from COVID-19, the warnings about vaping and Coronavirus risks are something we need to pass along to everyone.
Article Source: bestdrugrehabilitation.com
