By Yesim Sert Karaaslan
ANKARA (AA) – COVID-19 patients with a smoking history are likely to experience the disease's symptoms more severely compared to other patients.
According to information received by Anadolu Agency from the Health Ministry, scientific studies reveal that those who use tobacco products and are exposed to them are also at a much higher risk of contracting the disease than others.
Many studies suggest that COVID-19 patients with a history of smoking have a 14-fold higher risk of developing pneumonia, hospitalization, needing intensive care, and respiratory support than others.
Scientific data show that tobacco use is associated with the frequency of contracting the virus and the severity of its clinical course.
Consuming tobacco products is among the leading causes of many diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, as well as premature death.
Tobacco use poses more risks than ever in fighting the disease and quitting their use is of great importance in protecting health.
Those who consume tobacco products are shown as a particularly at-risk group if they encounter the virus.
Using such products increases the risk of lung, upper respiratory tract, and flu infections due to damage they make in the immune system, generally impairing the defense mechanism of the lungs and increasing mucus.
Also, during smoking, not wearing a mask, more than one person smoking together, higher contact of contaminated hands and cigarettes with mouth and face are likely to raise the risk of contracting the virus.
*Writing by Seda Sevencan
