Recent numbers from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment reveal young people may be more impacted by COVID-19 than initially thought*. In Colorado, 33% of positive COVID-19 patients are under the age of 40. Without specific data examining why numbers among young people are higher than initially anticipated, medical experts are questioning whether lung damage from vaping could be a contributing factor - particularly among cases where no other underlying medical conditions are present.
Centura Health Family Medicine expert Dr. Judd Dawson says while it’s too soon to say for certain, there is a small amount of literature that may pertain to COVID-19. Dr. Dawson explains, “A 2019 study looked at the specific impact of vaping on immune function. Among its female subjects, researchers discovered their immune system wasn’t as strong post vaping, making them more susceptible to flu. Interestingly, the same level of immune suppression did not happen among traditional smokers in the studied.” Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has connected vaping to a lung injury called EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury.) EVALI has been linked to 2807 hospitalizations or deaths as of Feb 18, 2020 (CDC.gov 2020). “Bottom line, the coronavirus attacks the lungs, if those deep pockets and tissue are already damaged, recovery from a COVID-19 infection becomes much harder,” Dr. Dawson advises.
With numbers of COVID-19 cases expected to grow in Colorado, health experts, like Dr. Dawson, want to remind families about the prevalence of vaping among our younger population. The CDC recently reported a surge in teen vaping to more than one in four high school students or 27%. And in Colorado, many communities report even higher numbers – Boulder and Pueblo county are among the highest at 36% of teens reporting e-cigarette use. Dr. Dawson says now is the time to have the conversation with loved ones and consider the added risk of vaping in the era of COVID-19, saying, “In theory, having a weakened immune system, and lung damage, could predispose individuals to a more severe manifestation of COVID-19. It’s the pulmonary disease associated with coronavirus that leads to the need for ventilators. And by some reports, it is the leading cause of death from the coronavirus.”
What can you do if you’re an electronic cigarette smoker? Dr. Dawson says stopping may give your lungs a chance to heal, but don’t replace vaping with cigarettes. “There are reports of smokers in China getting pneumonia more commonly,” Dr. Dawson goes on to say, “If you need help stopping, talk to your physician, preferably by a virtual visit, to get a prescription for a smoking cessation aid, or looking into a smoking cessation program. Centura hospitals offer several options in communities across the state.” Dr. Dawson adds, “Other things you can do are to get adequate rest, eat a well-balanced diet, and practice good hand hygiene, and please call your doctor if you develop a new cough or shortness of breath.”
