Blown up in smoke: Young adults who vape at greater risk of COVID symptoms

COVID-19 has swept across the globe, infecting millions and resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths. Substantial resources have been invested into understanding individual vulnerability in order to protect those at greatest risk. Age is the most often cited risk factor; 75% of US deaths have been in people over the age of 65, while younger people generally have milder symptoms. In addition to age, the Centers for Disease Control has delineated a list of health factors that increase vulnerability, most of which are chronic disorders that generally alter health status. The single most modifiable risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection is inhaled substance use through smoking or vaping. Vaping and smoking increase young adults’ risk of COVID symptoms A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health used national data to estimate the toll of smoking and vaping on COVID-19 risk for young adults. The team found that overall, nearly one in three young adults ages 18 to 25 in the US are at heightened risk, though that number falls to one in six among those who do not smoke or vape. In other words, smoking and vaping double the number of young adults in the at-risk category. The at-risk categorization is more than a theoretical concern. Smoking and vaping both cause lung injury that threatens pulmonary reserve. Substance use can also weaken the immune system, resulting in reduced capacity to fight off infection. A recent study found that adolescents and young adults ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Addiction Adolescent health Children's Health Cold and Flu Coronavirus and COVID-19 Lung disease Smoking cessation Source Type: blogs