inflammation <\/a>in the lungs, reducing the immune system’s efficacy and function. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen your immune system drops, you become at risk of catching viral and bacterial infections. Since the cilia in smokers’ lungs are non-existent, the affected individual loses the efficacy of the lungs being able to filter out the harmful particles in the air we breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the lungs are in an inflamed and sickened state with COPD, it’s harder to fight off an infection. The immune system relies on oxygenated blood cells to help it fight off disease and create anti-bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, people with COPD find their weakened immune system struggles to kick out pathogenic invaders from their bodies. As a result, they experience more respiratory infections, and they also receive harsher symptoms and longer recovery from disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n
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