New research has uncovered why smokers get sick more often and have trouble fighting off lung infections. The study shows how cigarette smoke, including from e-cigarettes, breaks down the lung’s natural defense system. Think of your lungs like a house with security guards – special immune cells called MAIT cells. These guards normally spot and stop harmful bacteria and viruses from making you sick. But cigarette smoke acts like a blindfold on these guards, making them less able to spot threats. “We discovered that chemicals in cigarette smoke affect these guard cells, weakening their ability to fight infections,” says Dr. … Continue reading Cigarette Smoke Impairs Lung Immune Cells, Elevates Infection Risk