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It has been confirmed that the COVID-19 coronavirus is transmitted by airborne droplets. In this case, do smokers have anything to fear? Can blown smoke contain the coronavirus? These questions were answered by dr hab. n. med. Tomasz Dzieciatkowski, a virologist from the Medical University of Warsaw.
The COVID-19 coronavirus is spread by airborne droplets when you speak, cough or sneeze. It mainly affects the respiratory system, but also affects the cardiovascular system. Its main symptoms are dry cough, high fever (above 38 degrees Celsius), shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches and (in some cases) diarrhea and vomiting.
- Learn more: What to do when symptoms of coronavirus appear?
The elderly, over 19 years of age, are at risk of contracting the COVID-60 coronavirus, as the immune system weakens with age. The severe course of the disease is influenced by comorbidities (asthma or ischemic heart disease). This is when the body is unable to prepare an adequate immune response that could help fight the coronavirus. For this reason, people suffering from cancer (e.g. lung cancer) are also at risk.
- Also check: Ibuprofen aggravates the course of COVID-19 disease? WHO and the European Medicines Agency take the floor
Smoking cigarettes is extremely harmful to the body, especially for the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. If they are not functioning properly, the risk of contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus increases significantly. Research on the harmfulness of cigarette smoking in the context of the current epidemic was carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is trying to answer all questions related to the rapidly spreading coronavirus.
- Find out more: The relationship between cigarette smoking and the course of COVID-19
However, can there be a coronavirus in the air exhaled by smokers? It turns out that it is, but the amounts of the coronavirus are small in this case. The primary transmission route is the droplet path. Consequently, if one does not cough, the risk of shedding the virus in large infectious amounts is negligible. However, this does not change the fact that it is worth refraining from smoking or completely quitting the addiction.
Check out other information on the coronavirus as well:
- Washing your hands can protect against viruses. How to do it effectively?
- Coverage of the COVID-19 coronavirus [Map updated]
- Coronavirus and food. How to prevent pollution? Q&A
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.