Electronic cigarette users have a higher risk of presenting symptoms of COVID-19 when infected than those who do not vape with these devices, nor smoke conventional tobacco. This has been shown by a study by the Mayo Clinic (USA) after analyzing the symptoms of 289 vapers and comparing it with that of 1,445 who did not have this habit.
All participants had a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 using a PCR test, and the results showed that e-cigarette users had a 6% higher rate of chest pain or tightness than non-smokers (16% vs. 10%), 7% more body aches (39% vs. 32%), 6% more chills (25% vs. 19%), 8% more headaches (49% vs. 41%), 7% more taste and smell disturbances (37% vs. 30%), 6% more nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain (16% vs. 10%), 6% more diarrhea (16% vs. 10 %) and 7% more likely to experience dizziness (16% vs. 9%).
As the authors explain, when infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, inflammation occurs in the body, and the same thing happens when a person vapes with electronic cigarettes – which continue to contain nicotine and more toxic substances from tobacco. Both inflammatory processes combined can worsen the situation of the organism, which could trigger a greater frequency and intensity of symptoms.
Vaping smoke also carries the coronavirus
“Our research was not designed to test whether e-cigarette use increases the risk of COVID-19 infection, but it clearly indicates that the symptom burden in COVID-19 patients who vape is greater than in those who do not. they vape”, explained Dr. Robert Vassallo, co-author of the research, which has been published in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health.
The increase in symptoms, according to experts, could be due to the combination of the inflammatory processes generated by vaping and by COVID-19
In addition to the risk to the health of the person who vapes, it must also be taken into account that this method of smoking tobacco can affect those around them, called passive smokers. The expelled smoke contains droplets of saliva that, in the event that the user tests positive for COVID-19, can contain the coronavirus and be displaced great distances.
For this reason, it is not recommended to smoke with this type of device –nor is the consumption of conventional tobacco– in public spaces where there are people nearby, for example, on terraces or near playgrounds.
.
