Ohio confirms 3 cases of severe lung disease after vaping, 11 others under investigation



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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Health confirmed Wednesday afternoon that three cases of serious lung disease after using electronic cigarettes were probably due to a vaping.

Local and state health officials are investigating 11 new disease claims, the health department said.

Patients in the three confirmed cases in Ohio are between 18 and 26 years old and include two women and one man. All three required hospitalization. They live in the counties of Lucas, Richland and Union, said the health department.

None of the Ohio patients died, however, in Illinois, a patient died in August of breathing problems after being sprayed.

Additional details were not revealed on the three confirmed cases or the 11 ongoing investigations.

The state has not yet clarified whether the released substances were tobacco or THC – tetrahydrocannabinol – the ingredient in marijuana that creates a "high". The federal government, which said more than 200 cases are under investigation in 25 states 23 that THC has been involved in at least some of the cases across the country.

The CDC has issued updated recommendations on vaping for the public:

  • While investigations are ongoing, people should refrain from using e-cigarette or vaping products if they fear for health.
  • Regardless of the survey, e-cigarette and vaping products should not be used by young people, young adults, pregnant women or adults who currently do not use tobacco products.
  • Do not buy vaping products on the street. We do not know what they really contain.
  • Vapor products purchased on the street may contain THC or other cannabinoids.
  • Do not modify the vaping products and do not add substances not intended by the manufacturer.
  • Victims must self-monitor their symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if they fear for their health.

On August 23, the Ohio Department of Health announced that six cases were under investigation.

The federal government had previously said that the recent wave of diseases could come from a harmful product. Or they could be part of a trend that has just been noticed.

Symptoms in some patients include: coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain; nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; and fatigue, fever or weight loss, according to the CDC. Some patients indicated that their symptoms had developed over a few days, others over several weeks.

A lung infection does not appear to be at the origin of the symptoms, which usually did not improve with antibiotic treatment alone, explains the CDC.

Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, said that aerosols for electronic cigarettes could contain carcinogenic chemicals, heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead, volatile organic compounds, ultrafine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and flavors such as diacetyl. , a chemical substance associated with severe lung disease.

The state has resources for people who want to quit smoking and run out of steam at the Tobacco Quit Line line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

People can also receive cessation resources at the address https://ohio.quitlogix.org/en-US/.

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