Over 20 Vaping-Related Hospital Admissions Mystify Doctors Spanning Three Different States

According to recent news reports, 22 people have been hospitalized with breathing problems, and the cases may have arisen due to vaping. The individuals are all young adults who had been inhaling, and thereafter, they experienced issues breathing. Twelve of the cases were reported in Wisconsin, six in Illinois, and four in Wisconsin.

Dr. Emily Chapman, the chief medical officer for Children’s Minnesota, shared with NBC News,

“We know there are certain characteristics in common with these cases, but we have not been able to get to the bottom of exactly what aspect of the vaping habit or product or solvent or oil is causing the injury.”

She added that four of the teens who were admitted to Children’s Minnesota were first thought to have a bad respiratory infection.

However, treatment was not helpful, and they got worse. She continued,

“They have progressed to have significant difficulty with their breathing and increasing lung distress. They've ended up needing our intensive care unit and in some cases assistance with their breathing.”

Andrea Palm of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shared in an online statement,

“We are currently interviewing patients, all of whom reported recent vaping. Our disease investigators continue to gather information about the names and types of vape products that were used in hopes of determining a common link.” She added, “We strongly urge people to avoid vaping products and e-cigarettes. Anyone—especially young people who have recently vaped—experiencing unexplained breathing problems should see a doctor.”

The patients exhibited symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, weight loss, and chest pain. By now, patients have improved with treatment, however there is no indication as to whether there will be long-term health effects. DHS is currently investigating in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local healthcare providers.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids also shared in an online statement,

“These incidents raise serious concerns and underscore why the FDA should be reviewing e-cigarettes and determining their health impact before they are allowed on the market.”

Given these cases, users may want to be wary of vaping devices and the types of cannabis that they use. It is always best to ensure that one purchases their product from a reputable retailer that is licensed. Further, product reviews based on user experiences may give further insight into the quality of the products so that users can protect themselves.