Widespread vaping has only been around for only about a decade, so there’s much less research on how well vapers get through flu season. But recent mouse and other studies suggest that e-cigarette vapor can impair the lungs’ natural ability to fight viral infections like the flu. This may worsen symptoms and increase the risk of complications.
Full Answer
Can vaping give you the flu?
Flu season is coming, and that could make it even harder to diagnose the elusive illness linked to vapes. The vaping-related illness has been tied to THC vapes for the most part, particularly a vape cartridge “brand” called Dank Vapes — which are sold on the black market and filled with unknown, potentially dangerous additives.
Does vaping affect how your body responds to viral respiratory infections?
A new study in mice finds that vaping may impair how well the body responds to viral respiratory infections. Cigarette smokers are more likely to catch the flu, but research is still ongoing for e-cigarette users. Experts advise e-cigarette users get their flu shot in order to avoid infection. and have more severe symptoms than nonsmokers.
Can e-cigs cause flu like symptoms?
But e-cigs are not 100% safe. However, if you’ve experienced flu-like symptoms when vaping, there could be reasons why. HeadachesVaping constantly can induce flu-symptoms. Especially if you sit by your computer all day and find yourself in the habit of constantly vaping without thinking about it.
Can vaping marijuana cause a cough?
Unlike smoking, vaping isn’t associated with side effects such as a chronic cough. However, a 2015 review suggests that the advantages of vaping marijuana instead of smoking it are modest. If you have a cough, cold, or the flu, vaping is likely the better alternative to minimize respiratory symptoms.
Why do people get flu shots with e-cigarettes?
Experts advise e-cigarette users get their flu shot in order to avoid infection.
How long does e-cigarette vapor last?
In one laboratory study, researchers found that this happened when human lung epithelial cells were exposed to e-cigarette vapor for only 15 minutes a day for 2 to 5 days. This could enable bacteria to get into the lung tissue or the bloodstream.
How long do mice stay in e-cigarettes?
Mice in this study were exposed to e-cigarette vapor for 3 to 4 months — this is equivalent to a person vaping from about their teenage years until some time in their 50s. has shown that even just 2 weeks of exposure to e-cigarette vapor can impair how well mice respond to the flu virus.
What happens to the lung macrophages when exposed to e-cigarette vapor?
In mice exposed to e-cigarette vapor, the lung macrophages had an abnormal buildup of lipids, or fats.
Can vaping help with the flu?
Widespread vaping has only been around for only about a decade, so there’s much less research on how well vapers get through flu season. But recent mouse and other studies suggest that e-cigarette vapor can impair the lungs’ natural ability to fight viral infections like the flu. This may worsen symptoms and increase the risk of complications.
Can vaping cause respiratory infections?
A new study in mice finds that vaping may impair how well the body responds to viral respiratory infections. Cigarette smokers are more likely to catch the flu, but research is still ongoing for e-cigarette users. Experts advise e-cigarette users get their flu shot in order to avoid infection. Cigarette smokers are more likely to catch the flu.
Can mice get sick from e-cigarettes?
Mice that were not exposed to e-cigarette vapor became a little sick from the flu virus, but they recovered more quickly. The results of the study were published last month in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
What are the symptoms of vaping?
The Symptoms: Muscle or body aches. Fatigue (tiredness) Sleepiness or Dizziness. Sore throat. Feeling feverish or have chills (shaking) Cough. Sore or stiff neck. Runny or stuffy nose.
What happens if your atomizer burns out?
In this case, stop vaping and replace your e-cig with a new atomizer. Burnt atomizers/wicks can produce chemicals that can make you feel sick.
Can vaping make you sick?
Especially if you sit by your computer all day and find yourself in the habit of constantly vaping without thinking about it. A too high percentage of nicotine intake. Too much nicotine in your system can make you feel sick.
bombastinator ECF Guru Verified Member ECF Veteran
That particular thing assumes you were not already a smoker. My memory is that what it really says is
kates Super Member ECF Veteran
I've had a couple of mild colds since staring vaping (coming up to 7 years) and no coughs. I vape very high PG - 90%+. I have also at times thought I was coming down with something , but didn't materialise. About 10 weeks into full time vaping I did have what I refer to as 'quit flu' - not as severe as real flu but same symptoms.
Iron Molly Ultra Member Verified Member ECF Veteran
Vaping for 9 years, 3 colds, no flu. I rarely get sick anymore, and no bronchitis or cough if I do. Ditto no sinus infections. Isn't there something about PG being germaphobic?
Jebbn Ultra Member ECF Veteran
Vaping for 9 years, 3 colds, no flu. I rarely get sick anymore, and no bronchitis or cough if I do. Ditto no sinus infections. Isn't there something about PG being germaphobic?
Iron Molly Ultra Member Verified Member ECF Veteran
Your vaping experience seems to mirror mine. Which I'd call wonderful news.
Rossum "Chump" Verified Member ECF Veteran
I notice you didn't explain the difference, in terms of your experience, with the flu and colds.
Jebbn Ultra Member ECF Veteran
I can't think of anything on the planet that isn't a double edged sword. I've tried, and so far have come up with nothing. But like anything that is said to cure, the benefits are going to be seen as outweighing the potential detriments.
Does weed help with inflammation?
Weed’s anti-inflammatory properties might help relieve some of these symptoms, but more research needs to be done to understand the exact benefits.
Is vaping good for respiratory problems?
If you have a cough, cold, or the flu, vaping is likely the better alternative to minimize respiratory symptoms.
Does smoking weed make you sick?
Smoking weed has short- and long-term effects on lung and respiratory function. You may also find that your body responds differently to weed when you’re sick. Both smoking weed and common illnesses such as the flu can cause fatigue, chills, and headaches. You may feel these effects more intensely when you’re sick.
Does smoking weed cause coughing?
According to a 2017 review, smoking weed in the long term is associated with a chronic cough and excess phlegm production.
Is smoking weed bad for you?
Smoking weed when you have a cough, cold, or flu isn’t necessarily bad for you, especially if it’s something you do on a regular basis. But it could make your cough or sore throat worse.
Does CBD oil help with cough?
While there currently isn’t any clinical research assessing CBD use while sick with a cough , cold, or the flu, it might help relieve symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sore throat, and aches and pains.
Does vaping affect your lungs?
Smoking and vaping affect the lungs differently. Unlike smoking, vaping isn’t associated with side effects such as a chronic cough, according to a 2015 review. However, the same review suggests that the advantages of vaping weed instead of smoking it are modest.
What is an e-cigarette?
E-cigarettes, rebranded as sleek "vaping devices" and designed to appeal to youth , attracted large numbers of children, adolescents, and young adults who were nonsmokers, and many became addicted to nicotine. While nicotine is the active ingredient in both combustible and electronic cigarettes, "vapes" can deliver a much higher dose much faster ...
What is the best medication for nicotine replacement?
Prescription medications such as bupropion (also known as Wellbutrin or BuSpar) and varenicline (Chantix) are available for people who have difficulty quitting even with nicotine replacement. Medication treatment for nicotine use disorders should always be supervised by a healthcare professional for children under 18. This applies to NRT (which is only available by prescription for teens), bupropion, and varenicline.
Can you stop using e-cigarettes?
Studies have found that while smokers are often successful in switching to e-cigarettes, very few are able to stop using these products. This is predictable, because the higher dose of nicotine delivered by e-cigarettes can effectively surmount nicotine tolerance, satisfying the drive for a nicotine "buzz." Switching to e-cigarettes would only be harm-reducing if the products cause less health damage than traditional cigarettes. While combustible cigarette use is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, the recent identification of a new disease called "e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury" or EVALI, which has resulted in nearly 1,900 cases of severe lung disease and 37 deaths so far, calls into question whether e-cigarettes can clear even this extremely low bar.
Is it safe to use an e-cigarette?
Astonishingly, e-cigarette manufacture rs were never required to demonstrate that their devices were safe, or even safer than combustible cigarettes — the idea that a product could be more health-harming than tobacco seemed so unfathomable as to be not worthy of serious consideration.
Can vaping cause seizures?
Exposure to high doses of nicotine can also result in consequences not typically seen in people who get lower doses of nicotine from traditional tobacco products, such as difficulty with concentration and memory, and even seizures from nicotine toxicity. The news media has documented stories of teens whose lives were derailed due to problems caused by vaping.
How effective is vaping for smoking?
Some studies have suggested that e-cigarette use can be modestly helpful for smokers trying to quit. For example, an analysis of 61 studiesfound that e-cigarette use was more effective than other approaches to quitting smoking. The study authors estimated that out of every 100 people who tried to quit smoking by vaping, nine to 14 might be successful. When only using other methods, such as nicotine patches or behavioral counselling, only four to seven smokers out of 100 might quit. A separate study suggests vaping may help smokers who aren’t able to quit reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day— at least for six months, the duration of the study.
How many people in the US are vaping?
It’s not surprising: e-cigarette use, or vaping, has become remarkably popular in recent years. About 6% of adults in the US now report vaping. That’s about 15 million people, double the number from just three years ago. Of course, regular cigarettes are known to cause cancer and a host of other health problems.
How many people died from e-cigarettes in 2019?
Severe, potentially fatal lung injury. In 2019, doctors began seeing people who had recently vaped and developed shortness of breath, cough, fever, and extensive lung damage. Dubbed EVALI(e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), more than 2,800 cases and 68 deaths were reported. The condition has been linked to vapors containing THC and a form of vitamin E (called vitamin E acetate) used as a thickening agent when vaping THC. Cases have fallen markedly since 2020. Possibly because of falling case numbers, the FDA announcement of new vaping products didn’t even mention EVALI, which seems odd. If you do vape, see these recommendationsto reduce the risk of EVALI.
How old do you have to be to vape?
An alarming number of middle-school and high-school age kidsreport vaping, despite the nationwide prohibition against selling e-cigarette products to anyone under age 18 (21 in some states). Its popularity is partly related to the marketing of flavors known to appeal to minors, such as bubblegum and berry-flavored products. According to one national survey, approximately 85% of teen vaping involved non-tobacco flavored products.
Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes?
Despite claims that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes and that it might help smokers quit, concern about its risks is well deserved.
Is vaping safe?
While considered less harmful than smoking tobacco, vaping is not risk-free, so the FDA’s recent announcement authorizing sales of new vaping products was surprising. Some research suggests e-cigarettes may help some people quit or cut back on smoking, but there are many concerns about their known and potential ...
Is e-cigarette safer than smoking?
I note that the data concerning the relative safety of e-cig over smoking cannot be categorzed as ‘seemingly’ safer than smoking – the data is varied and robust – the health risks are on the order of 3% those of smoking. I also note that Nicotine has limited health effects, comparable to caffeine. Finally, I note that Harvard has had numerous ethical issues related to funds from drug companies (see E.G – https://www.propublica.org/article/pharma-ties-at-harvard-medical-school), and suggest that the support of Big Pharma’s expensive smoking cessation drugs (not shown to be more effective than placebo) relates more to those ethical issues than any public health concerns
How to treat a flu?
If you are suffering from the flu right now, the best course of action you can take is to: 1 Stay home and get plenty of rest 2 Drink lots of fluids 3 Take steamy showers or baths to help with congestion
How to help congestion in the body?
Take steamy showers or baths to help with congestion
Does cannabis cause the flu?
While there is no scientific or medical evidence about cannabis and the flu with humans, there is one study that examined the effect the endocannabinoid system has on mice infected with the influenza virus.
Does cannabis help with nausea?
Cannabis has been proven to help ease nausea, reduce aches and pains, and help you get to sleep. So while cannabis won’t make your sickness any shorter, it could make it a bit more tolerable.
Can you use cannabis for the flu?
Most medical doctors do not recommend using cannabis to help treat the flu. Nevertheless, cannabis may be able to alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms that come with the flu, such as aches and pains, nausea, and trouble sleeping.
Can you use medical cannabis while sick?
They will have the best advice on whether you should continue using medical cannabis while you are sick or if you should wait it out.
Does the endocannabinoid system calm down the immune system?
In other words, the endocannabinoid system can theoretically calm down an immune system that is on overdrive and causing excessive inflammation throughout the body (as is the case with diseases such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, and many others), effectively bringing it back into homeostasis.
