FUMES FEAR
E-cigarettes increase your risk of flu and make virus MORE deadly, experts warn
SMOKING e-cigarettes can increase your risk of flu - and make the virus MORE deadly, experts have warned.
New findings from the , presented in Dallas, Texas, today revealed that inhaling vapour can weaken the immune system.
1
They claim that the vapour from e-cigarettes can change the cells in the respiratory tract, reducing their ability to fight off viruses - in particular, the flu.
Researchers separated participants into three categories - non-smokers, cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users.
From each person, they collected fluid from the thin layer covering the respiratory tract and nasal passage, as well as nasal biopises and blood.
Participants were then injected with live influenza virus before the same samples were taken again at the end of the experiment.
Shocking 'It's Vaping' health campaign film outlines the dangers in e-cigarettes epidemic
What are the symptoms of flu?
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- a sudden fever – a temperature of 38C or above
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- nausea and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
The flu vaccine reduces the risk of catching flu, as well as spreading it to others.
It's more effective to get the vaccine before the start of the flu season (December to March).
Source:
The results showed that responses were different in the e-cigarette and cigarette smokers, compared to the non-smokers.
They found that specific proteins essential for fighting off viruses had noticeably diminished in the e-cigarette users - and not in the tobacco smokers.
Their findings also revealed that the vaping group had lower levels of certain influenza-specific antibodies - that protect against the virus.
MORE ON E-CIGARETTES
They concluded that the data suggested that e-cigarette use, and smoking tobacco, changes the respiratory immune system.
The researchers said that the significant reduction in specific antibodies, specifically in e-cigarette users, meant that it could also impair the immune system from adapting to certain viruses.
It comes after a new study, published earlier this year, found that catching flu-like illnesses can significantly increase the risk of suffering a stroke by nearly 40 per cent over the following 15 days.
Here's what you need to know about the deadly 'Aussie Flu' sweeping across the UK
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics