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Health officials are investigating 380 confirmed and probable cases of lung disease in the United States related to vaping and electronic cigarette products. The diseases are spread across 36 states and one territory of the United States and six people have died. The latest death, reported on September 10, was a Kansas resident over 50, said the state health department.
Many doctors and health officials urge people to stop vaping during the investigation. On Wednesday, President Trump said the administration was considering banning all tobacco-free vaping products from the market. Here's what health officials know so far:
What are the symptoms?
Patients have a range of respiratory symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Many also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Fever, fatigue and weight loss have also been reported. Sometimes the symptoms develop quickly in a few days or can develop slowly in several weeks. Most patients also have a high number of white blood cells, a sign that the immune system is on high alert.
Why are these symptoms happening now? Is this disease new?
Health officials believe that the majority of cases have occurred in recent months. It is possible that the disease has previously occurred and is only recognized as related to vaping, but many researchers believe that it is probably due to something new, such as an additive or toxin in products or devices.
How serious are these lung diseases?
Patients can recover after a few days or weeks, but many also require ventilation or intubation, which means they have a tube inserted to help them breathe. Of a total of 53 cases reported in Wisconsin and Illinois, 94% of patients were hospitalized and 32% of patients required intubation and medical ventilation, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine. Some patients have even needed extracorporeal membrane oxygen, or ECMO, which involves the use of a machine to pump blood to the outside of the body to allow the heart and lungs to rest.
Six people have died so far and deaths have been confirmed in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota and Oregon.
Altria, the Marlboro cigarette manufacturer, recently invested nearly $ 13 billion in the Juul electronic cigarette company. According to some experts, in the early days Juul reflected the tobacco industry's promotional game manual in an attempt to attract young people. Photo: Natalia V. Osipova / The Wall Street Journal
What is the cause?
Although the specific cause is still unclear, doctors say that a chemical exposure related to vaporization or the use of the electronic cigarette can cause inflammation or damage to the lungs.
Many diseases have been linked to cannabis-related products, particularly THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical found in marijuana known for its psychoactive effects. Many patients reported using both nicotine and THC-containing products, and some patients reported only spraying nicotine-containing products.
The New York State Department of Health and the US Food and Drug Administration claim that many THC products contain significant amounts of vitamin E acetate, an oil that can be used as an agent thickener for the spraying liquid without affecting the taste. or smell.
However, health officials did not associate any substance or product specific to the disease and no product was associated with all cases. Inflammations and injuries themselves are not identical, which suggests to some physicians that the associated diseases may have several causes related to vaping.
What is lipoid pneumonia and how is it related to vaping disease?
Lipoid pneumonia is an inflammatory reaction that occurs after inhalation of a fat or oil. The accumulation of fat in the lungs is one of the hallmarks of this condition. It has been seen in some patients, including North Carolina patients included in a CDC report. Acute lipoid pneumonia was diagnosed in the five patients. All North Carolina patients also reported having recently used marijuana oils, such as oils containing THC, and three of them also reported having vaporized nicotine electronic cigarettes.
However, not all patients studied had the accumulation of fat associated with pneumonia. The accumulation of fat in the lungs can also result from inflammation due to lung injury, says Sean Callahan, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Utah Health, and not necessarily a sign of fat inhalation or oil.
How are diseases treated?
The symptoms resemble infection or pneumonia, so doctors sometimes ask patients to take antibiotics to eliminate them. Antibiotics do not help relieve symptoms, and doctors generally find that patients do not have an infection.
For some patients, stopping vaping and letting the inflammation go away alone seem to help. Doctors also say that they have been successful after the administration of steroids, which are commonly used to reduce allergic reactions and other inflammations.
Should I stop using my spray device or my e-cigarette?
The CDC recommends that people consider completely stopping the use of vaping devices, while the FDA urges them not to use products containing THC specifically. Both agencies urge people not to buy illicit vaping products or to modify legally purchased products. Several states, cities and health organizations have also warned the public to stop vaping or using electronic cigarettes.
I use THC treatment products from a medical marijuana dispensary authorized by the state for a serious health problem. Should I stop my treatment?
You may want to ask a health professional for an alternative. Although many diseases have been linked to illicit products, a deceased in Oregon had purchased cannabis from two licensed marijuana retailers.
In New York, the regulated medical marijuana program did not cause adverse effects, but the public health commissioner urged patients using medical marijuana to consult their health care provider and to possibly find alternatives to vaping for the duration of the investigation.
Can I develop a vape disease if I stop vaping several months ago?
Until now, patients have reported to be vaping within the last 90 days before the onset of symptoms. If you have been vaping in the past 90 days or continue to vape, you should monitor your condition for symptoms.
I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Should I tell my doctor that I vape?
Yes, if you experience symptoms similar to those of pneumonia, it is important to inform your health care provider of your medical history, including the use of e-cigarettes or vape.
Where can I get more information?
The CDC plans to update its website every week on Thursday with new confirmed and probable cases, as well as any findings from the investigation. He has also published a Health Alert Network health advisory on diseases.
On September 12, the FDA launched its own Respiratory Diseases web page to disseminate information to consumers, health care providers and managers.
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