Vaping and COVID-19
Because COVID-19 aFFECTS the lungs, anything that weakens the lungs puts an individual at a higher risk for getting sick.
🚨 News Flash! 🚨
Teenagers and young adults who vape face a much higher risk of COVID-19 than those who do not vape.
In fact, those who vape were 5-7 times more likely to be infected with COVID-19 than those who did not.
Why is that? 🤔
Vaping can hurt your lungs and make it difficult for your lungs to fight off infections. COVID-19 is also spread by touching your hands to your face and mouth, which is a common behavior among people who vape. And finally, sharing vapes is common among teenagers, which can spread germs from person to person.
wHAT IS COVID-19?
COIVD-19 is the infectious disease caused by the novel (i.e. new) coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV2. It is spread through contact with an infected person (for example, when they cough or sneeze), or by touching an infected surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
This is a respiratory illness, meaning it affects the lungs. It causes symptoms similar to the flu such as coughing, fever, and, in severe cases, shortness of breath
For continued updates and recommendations on COVID-19, visit the CDC website.
So what does this have to do with vaping?
Evidence is growing that vaping hurts your lungs. Plus, we already have PLENTY of evidence showing that smoking increases your risk for respiratory infections.
[FYI: "respiratory" refers to organs in your body that are responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. Lungs are a key player in the respiratory system!]
Smoking also weakens your immune system [the immune system defends your body from sickness. When your immune system is weak, it is like having a weak defense on the football field-NOT GOOD!]
It is very likely that people who smoke cigarettes are at higher risk when faced with COVID-19, and it's very likely that people who vape are, too, for the same reasons.
Check out this article by Mashable about COVID-19 and vaping featuring YTPBham's very own: Dr. Susan Walley. She is a pediatrician in Birmingham, AL and is passionate about reducing rates of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among youth and teenagers. In this article she discusses some of the health risks associated with vaping as well as tips for quitting.