Cigarette Smoke and Susceptibility to Influenza Infection

Epidemiologic evidence supports a significant relationship between passive cigarette smoke exposure and increased risk for viral respiratory illnesses. Published and preliminary data suggest that airborne pollutants including tobacco smoke increase susceptibility of respiratory epithelium to infection with influenza A and that this effect is at least partially mediated by oxidative stress. However, no studies have specifically looked at the interaction between smoking and the effects of influenza virus in human volunteers.