Study Finds Smoking Alters Throat Microbiota, Worsening Influenza A Infections

A study has found that smoking cigarettes can alter throat microbiota and exacerbate influenza A virus infections. While smoking is linked to chronic diseases and an increased risk of influenza, recent research from the University of Bern, Switzerland, shows that cigarette smoke disrupts the oropharyngeal microbiota composition. The study, conducted on mice, helps clarify this association.