Study Suggests Smokers May Be Much Less At Risk Of Contracting COVID-19

We are living in the most unusual time and there are no two ways about it. Coronavirus has turned out to be a real troublemaker and the intangible enemy of humankind. The total number of confirmed cases has reached more than 2.7 million and the death toll has grown to nearly 200,000. We are in the biggest health crisis ever. As of now, there is no vaccine for this infectious disease, and researchers across the world are giving extra miles to produce vaccines helping the COVID-19 patients.

However, there are some positive signs still looming in the air. Recently, a group of French researchers is coming up with a plan to test nicotine patches on the infected patients as well as frontline medical personnel. This idea came after a study suggested that smokers are likely to be much less vulnerable to getting infected. For those who are unversed, the study which was conducted at a major hospital in Paris suggests that a substance (maybe nicotine) in tobacco may be preventing patients who smoke from contracting Coronavirus. In fact, the clinal trails are currently awaiting the health authorities’ approval.

Meanwhile, experts also weren’t encouraging people to take up smoking as this practice carries many fatal health risks and it can kill half of the smokers. Even though nicotine is likely to protect patients from this infectious virus, the rate of developing more serious symptoms in people who take up it is higher than those who don’t. The explanation is that the toxic effect in tobacco can damage the lung.

The researcher team has questioned 480 people who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 350 were still hospitalized while the rest showing less serious symptoms could come home.

Coronavirus Updates in India

The situation in Indian is still intense with the total confirmed cases at nearly 24,000 and 726 deaths. Maharashtra is the epicenter in the country with more than 6,400 patients. The whole country is practicing social distancing and the lockdown is extended till 3 May.