infections

the bottom line

In smokers, levels of some types of antibodies increase, while levels of other types decrease. Smoking also alters the numbers of various types of immune cells and impairs the functioning of some of them.

As a result of these changes in immune system functioning, smokers are more likely to catch several types of infectious diseases, including the flu and other respiratory infections. Smoking-related impairments in the functioning of the immune system are also believed to be responsible for gum disease and increased risk of infections after surgery.