“Tobacco smoking is injurious to health”
We are well aware of the harmful effects of tobacco smoking – lung diseases, cancer. In this present scenario, it has been seen that those who smoke are more susceptible to complications are COVID-19 infection.
Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases possibilities of transmission of the virus from hand to mouth.
Smokers may also already have lung disease as reduced lung capacity, smokers cough (COPD) which would growths increase the seriousness of the illness.
Conditions that increase oxygen needs or reduce the ability of the body to use it properly will put patients at higher risk of serious lung conditions such as pneumonia.
Smoking is detrimental to the immune system and its responsiveness to infections making. Smokers are more vulnerable to infections.
Research on 55924 labs confirmed cases in CHINA showed that crude fatality ratio for COVID-19 patients is much higher amongst those are comorbidities.
Tobacco has a huge impact on respiratory health- it substantially increases the risks of Tuberculosis infection, important risk factors for developing COPD (reduces the lung capacity), important risk factors for lung cancer. COVID-19 primarily involves the respiratory system. Smokers are at high risk from COVID-19 related implication.
Pre-existing CVS patients are more prone to severe symptoms & death due to COVID-19 infections. Tobacco is an important risk factor in developing cardiovascular disease.
In the context of our country smoking becomes more hazardous because of widespread pullulation, poor socioeconomic status, over congestion are passive smoking.
It is important to motive people to quit smoking due to multiple health hazards that can be aggravated by this pandemic situation.
Dr. Sugata Roy Chowdhury | Consultant Internal Medicine | Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Howrah and Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Howrah