Respiratory tract infections: another reason not to smoke.
Smoking is a risk factor for a number of pulmonary infections, probably because of its adverse effects on respiratory defenses. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from pneumonia and influenza, as well as more days lost from work from lesser respiratory infections. Patients who smoke need to be informed about their increased risk of respiratory infections and of the benefits of both being vaccinated and stopping smoking.
Murin
Susan
S
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Veterans Administration Northern California Health Care System, Sacramento 95817, USA.
Bilello
Kathryn Smith
KS
D003139:Common Cold; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000821:virology; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014376:Tuberculosis