Multiple states across the country have reported groups of patients experiencing severe respiratory disease after using e-cigarette or vape products. As of August 21, 153 possible cases have been reported across 16 states.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has received six reports of patients experiencing serious respiratory symptoms following the use of these products. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requests that physicians report cases of significant respiratory illness of unclear etiology and a history of vaping to the appropriate state and/or local health department.
Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. These symptoms may worsen over a period of days to weeks before admission to the hospital. Other symptoms may include fever, anorexia, chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Chest radiographs show bilateral opacities, typically in the lower lobes, and CT imaging of the chest shows diffused ground glass opacities.
If an e-cigarette or vaping product is suspected as a possible etiology of a patient’s illness, it is important to inquire about the type of product, where the product was obtained, and if samples of the product are available for analysis.
Besides nicotine, e-cigarette aerosol that users inhale can contain harmful substances, including cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead; volatile organic compounds; ultrafine particles that can reach deep into lungs; and flavorings that are linked to serious lung disease.
Further information about vaping and risks associated with e-cigarette use is available on the Ohio Department of Health website and the CDC website.