More teens and young adults who vape are diagnosed with COVID-19 and are more likely to develop symptoms of the disease, according to a US study.
Researchers at Stanford University in California conducted a large survey in May of 4,351 participants aged 13 to 24 in the United States. Among those who reported being tested for COVID-19, young people who vaped were 5 to 7 times more likely to be diagnosed positive than those who did not touch e-cigarettes.
Over-represented
The survey was conducted at a time when many states were primarily testing people with symptoms of the disease.
Thus, it cannot be concluded that young vapers are more likely to catch the coronavirus.
On the other hand, the study suggests that they are more prone to develop symptoms if they are infected, hence their statistical overrepresentation, the researchers say.
“If you use electronic cigarettes, you are probably at risk […] because you damage your lungs, ”said Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, professor of pediatrics.
The survey shows that respondents who recently consumed both vaping products and cigarettes were almost 5 times more likely to experience symptoms like cough, fever, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
Not trivial
“This study tells us quite clearly that young people who use vapers or who use both – e-cigarettes and cigarettes – are at high risk, and this is not just a slight increase in risk,” he said. keeps its main author, Shivani Mathur Gaiha.
Depending on the products consumed, youth who vaped or smoked were 2.6 to 9 times more likely to be referred to a clinic for COVID-19.
Contrary to popular belief, young adults can very well contract COVID-19, as demonstrated in Quebec by an explosion of cases among 15 to 34 year olds this summer.
Although they generally suffer fewer complications, they are not immune to hospitalization, and can transmit the disease around them, especially in vulnerable populations, reminded Quebec health authorities.
– With the QMI Agency
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