The impact of secondhand smoke on children: respiratory and other medical concerns.
Secondhand smoke (SHS) is commonplace in South Dakota. It is casually linked to an increased incidence and severity of childhood and adult asthma; lower respiratory tract infections; symptoms of cough, wheeze, phlegm; acute and chronic otitis media; sudden infant death syndrome; cancers; prematurity; and cardiovascular disease. At this time, the development of specific allergy cannot be causally linked. As there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke, tobacco smoking cessation is the only effective treatment and should be actively pursued at every opportunity.
Department of Internal Medicine, Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota, USA.
Mark G
MG
Lounsbery
Mark E
ME
Bubak
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013023:South Dakota; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution