Vaping may increase coronavirus (COVID-19) risk in teens, young adults

DETROIT – A new study raises serious concerns that teens and young adults who vape are more likely to have coronavirus (COVID-19).

Last year, long before the pandemic began, there was an outbreak of vaping-associated lung injury that brought young people to the hospital and killed them.

The rate of COVID-19 diagnoses in adolescents in the U.S. has increased, and some of that is likely linked to behaviors that increase the spread of the virus, according to experts.

From a lack of face masks to a tendency to gather in groups, there are various actions that increase the risk. A new report suggests that e-cigarettes are another factor to consider.

Vaping may increase the risk of COVID-19 in young adults and teens, according to a study from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

In May, researchers examined more than 4,300 people between the ages of 13 and 24. They found that those who used e-cigarettes were five times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 compared to non-vapers.

The risk of being diagnosed with the virus increased even more among people who had used both e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes. Those who used both products in the previous month were more likely to experience COVID-19 symptoms and receive tests.

The report could not answer why young vapers are so much more at risk, but Drs. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a senior author of the study, has theories.

“We know that adolescents and young adults share their vaping products with each other,” Halpern-Felsher said. “That absolutely increases your exposure to COVID-19. We also know that hand-to-mouth action can increase your risk by simply touching and injecting COVID-19 into your mouth. “

Although more research is needed to better explore the association, authors want to get word that using e-cigarettes increases the risk of infection.

The study found no association between COVID-19 diagnosis and smoking of conventional cigarettes alone, nor did it conclude on the question of whether e-cigarette use increased the severity of COVID-19 infections.