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Smoking, Drinking Raise Pneumonia Risk
May 24, 2005

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Research Summary

Smoking and drinking allow Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria to spread faster toward the lungs, raising the risk of pneumonia and other lung infections, HealthDay News reported May 20.

Researchers gave rats alcohol and exposed them to smoke over a 12-week period and found that the alcohol caused the bacteria to spread faster, and that the smoke exacerbated the problem.

"This study points to the importance of understanding the potential combined adverse effects of alcoholism and cigarette smoking on lung defenses against pathogen infection," said researcher Gregory J. Bagby, professor of physiology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

The study was published in the May 2005 issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

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