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Respiratory tract infections: Another reason not to smoke

Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2005 October;72(10):916-920
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ABSTRACTSmoking is a risk factor for a number of pulmonary infections, probably because of its adverse effects on respiratory defenses. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from pneumonia and influenza, as well as more days lost from work from lesser respiratory infections. Patients who smoke need to be informed about their increased risk of respiratory infections and of the benefits of both being vaccinated and stopping smoking.