Doctors in Bahrain have warned that people who vape could be more vulnerable to common colds, sore throats and influenza, as growing evidence suggests e-cigarettes can weaken the body’s natural defences against infection.
Experts say vaping not only makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to infect the airways but may also slow recovery from respiratory illnesses.
Awali Hospital consultant pulmonologist Dr Mirjana Drvenica told the GDN that aerosol produced by e-cigarettes impairs several of the respiratory system’s natural protective mechanisms.
“Although the immune system continues to function when a person vapes, it becomes less efficient, making it harder to fight off infections and keep the lungs healthy,” she said.
“Studies have demonstrated increased susceptibility to common respiratory pathogens including influenza viruses, rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold, and bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae.”
Dr Drvenica explained that vaping reduces the ability of immune cells in the lungs to destroy bacteria and viruses, weakens the body’s response to viral infections, increases inflammation, damages the lining of the airways and disrupts the balance of healthy bacteria in the respiratory tract.
As a result, she said, people who vape may be more likely to contract infections after being exposed to germs in crowded places such as schools, gyms and public transport.
“This does not mean every exposure leads to illness, but the threshold for infection appears to be lower.”
Her comments are supported by research from the University of Birmingham in the UK, which found that inhaling e-cigarette vapour may impair neutrophils – white blood cells that form one of the body’s first lines of defence against infection.
Researchers collected blood samples from healthy volunteers who had never smoked or vaped before exposing isolated neutrophils to the equivalent of 40 puffs of unflavoured e-cigarette vapour. Half of the samples were exposed to nicotine-containing vapour, while the remainder were exposed to nicotine-free vapour.
The study found that, regardless of whether nicotine was present, the neutrophils remained alive but became unable to move effectively, limiting their ability to respond to infection. Further analysis suggested the vapour disrupted the cells’ internal structure, preventing them from functioning normally.
Public health consultant and Bahrain Anti-Smoking Society member Dr Kawthar AlEid said the findings reflect a growing body of evidence showing that vaping can compromise the body’s natural immune defences.
“While there is no conclusive evidence that people who vape are more likely to catch infections simply by being in crowded places, research suggests vaping weakens the respiratory immune system, making infections more likely to take hold once exposure occurs,” she said.
“The CDC (US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) notes that scientists are still studying the long-term health effects of vaping, but existing evidence shows that vaping damages the lungs and is associated with serious respiratory illness.
“Someone who vapes may therefore experience a slower recovery from respiratory infections.”
Dr AlEid added that many of vaping’s harmful effects develop gradually and often go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. “Unlike a broken bone or a visible injury, damage from vaping often occurs silently,” she said.
“A useful comparison is high blood pressure. Many people feel perfectly healthy even while silent damage is occurring. Similarly, someone may not notice symptoms from vaping until significant injury has already developed.”
Meanwhile, American Mission Hospital pulmonologist Dr Chellaraja Chellasamy warned that teenagers, who are among the most likely to take up vaping, are often unaware of its harmful effects and should be educated about the early warning signs.
“These can include palpitations, excessive muscle fatigue after exercise, chest tightness and feelings of anxiety,” he said.
Dr Chellasamy said education rather than confrontation is key to reducing vaping among young people.
“The misconception that vaping only harms the lungs needs to be corrected. The public should understand that its effects can extend to many other parts of the body.”
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 100 million people worldwide vape, including at least 86m adults and around 15m adolescents aged 13 to 15. The rapid growth in vaping has become an increasing public health concern, particularly because of its popularity among young people.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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