Several states have recently reported cases of severe respiratory illness among teenagers and young adults with a history of vaping. Reported symptoms include cough, fatigue, dizziness, headache, vomiting and diarrhea, chest pain, and worsening difficulty breathing, sometimes requiring intensive care. A variety of vaping products associated with the illnesses have been reported.
Four cases of respiratory illness in young adults with a history of vaping have been reported to IDPH. The patients are young adults (early to mid-20s) from across Iowa who report vaping prior to becoming ill. These cases are still being investigated, but three patients have reported use of vaping products that contain THC.
Youth should be discouraged from using vaping and e-cigarette products of any kind as the long-term health impacts for youth using these products are unknown. Patients with a history of vaping who are experiencing breathing problems should seek medical care. Health care providers should ask patients with respiratory illness about the use of vaping and e-cigarette products.
Health care providers are asked to report severe respiratory illness in patients with a history of vaping or e-cigarette use to IDPH at 1-800-362-2736.
For more information, visit
www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/s0821-cdc-fda-states-e-cigarettes.html.