The number of reported cases of COVID-19 across the globe is increasing by the day. But, there are still many things that are not known about the novel coronavirus. For instance, it’s not known whether a person becomes immune to the virus after contracting it. It’s also not known whether a person can be re-infected.

Similarly, scientists have not conclusively confirmed or refuted claims that some lifestyle choices like vaping may increase the risk of contracting the virus. However, some experts have argued that vaping may increase the risk or vulnerability of contracting COVID-19.

According to some experts, using even the vapingdaily best e-cig may increase the health risk of a person during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s because vaping can create health issues that may underlie the condition. As such, a person that vapes may be more likely to experience severe COVID-19 complications, according to the FDA.

Essentially, vaping is likened to the other underlying issues that increase the risk of contracting or having severe complications just like in persons with heart and lung conditions. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says that vapers and smokers of marijuana and cigarettes or those with substance use disorders are likely to have difficulties if they get the coronavirus.

Experts have also speculated that the high number of vapers in the U.S could be the reason why many young people in the country have been diagnosed with the disease than in other countries. In the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York City, more than 40% were those of people aged between 18 and 44 years.

But, since coronavirus has been around for months, the research that has been done to determine how vaping interacts with the virus is limited. However, health experts have warned that it may make the lungs more vulnerable to the infection.

What Experts Say About Vaping and the Risk of Coronavirus

Experts have warned that even using the best e-cigarette can weaken lung tissues and cause their inflammation. This can open up the lungs for infection. COVID-19 is a lung infection. Once coronavirus attacks a person’s lungs, it kills the tissues and cells.

The vapor that a person inhales when they vape hurts their lung cells. It also decreases the ability to fight infections. Since coronavirus attacks a person’s lungs, it can be a serious threat to people that vape marijuana or tobacco.

Respiratory problems and lung injuries are some of the most serious side effects of vaping. Both problems are underlying conditions that can worsen coronavirus infections. Some of the best e-cigs have high amounts of nicotine. Nicotine has been linked to a weak immune system. Medical experts say that continued vaping can weaken the ability of the body to fight viral infections of the lungs.

What’s more, vaping is largely a social activity. Unfortunately, sharing vaping devices and spending time together vaping increases the risk of getting COVID-19. These are of the things that experts are warning people to avoid during this pandemic.

Vaping-Related EVALI and Covid-19 Outbreak

The most serious side effect of vaping is EVALI. This has led experts to include the people that vape into the high-risk bracket when it comes to COVID-19. EVALI is solid evidence that vaping can damage the lungs, thereby making vapers more vulnerable to coronavirus.

EVALI is a vaping-related lung injury. The outbreak of this illness in 2019 led to the deaths and hospitalization of more than 2,800 people in the United States. This disease causes permanent lung damage. Some patients required a lung transplant to recover.

Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of EVALI. These include difficulty breathing, cough, nausea, and vomiting. Perhaps, that’s because both EVALI and COVID-19 affect the lungs. As such, EVALI survivors and those with both conditions are at a greater risk.

Essentially, it’s highly likely that chronic vaping makes a person more susceptible to the coronavirus infection. Chronic vaping damages the lungs that are also targeted by the virus. For people that have died of COVID-19, ventilator assistance wasn’t enough. But, the severity of every case is affected by the genetic virus strain, the number of virus particles that reach the lungs, and other factors that are unknown yet.

Nevertheless, patients with pre-existing conditions and underlying diseases like the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that is vaping-related are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19. That’s because using even the best e cigarettes can compromise the functionality of the lungs.

Social Distancing Can Help a Person Quit Vaping

Some addiction experts and healthcare experts say that people can use social distancing to quit vaping. This is particularly possible for teens that are struggling to quit vaping. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have to decide how they prioritize care provision for their patients. The possibility of recovering and illness severity is some of the factors that will play a role in determining the treatment that patients will receive.

The best bet that every person during this pandemic is staying healthy and ensuring that their immune system is not compromised. This can lower the chances of suffering from severe COVID-19. Quitting vaping or smoking is one of the best things that a person can do to achieve this.

Parents can use this time when health experts are urging people to maintain social distance to discuss health matters with teens that are struggling to quit vaping. They can tell teens how vaping can damage their lungs and draw the connections between the habit and coronavirus.

Families that have multiple vapers can spend their stay-at-home time to help their loved ones quit. Maintaining social distance with friends that vape and avoiding places where a person uses even the best electronic cigarette as a social activity can also help with the quitting process.

The Bottom Line

Coronavirus causes more severe lungs inflammation than average influenza. When a person has a stronger immune system, their chances of experiencing severe COVID-19 are lower. Vaping can damage the lungs and make a person more vulnerable to severe COVID-19. Thus, quitting vaping, even temporarily, can help a person lower the chances of developing severe COVID-19.