First U.S. Death from Vape-Related Illness

The first patient death linked to vaping has been reported. The news comes as emergency departments and doctors nationwide are seeing a rising number of vape related respiratory illness. Read on to learn about symptoms, contributing factors and the rising risk to youth. Nurses Headlines Article

An Illinois patient is the first to die of a respiratory illness linked to vaping. The CDC, state and local health departments and the FDA are investigating the case to learn more. Hospitals and doctors nationwide are reporting an increasing number of vaping related respiratory illnesses.. Over the past few months, 193 cases have been reported in 22 states, with 22 of the cases in Illinois alone.

Vaping in general is the only link between patients visiting emergency departments with the baffling lung illness. Few details have been released about the identity of the person who died, however, officials report many of the patients whose illness as been linked to vaping are adolescents or young adults. According to the state health department, patients in Illinois ranged between 17 and 38 years of age.

Serious and Progressive Symptoms

Some symptoms, such as weight loss and fatigue, may begin several weeks to months before more worrisome symptoms emerge. Many patients reported symptoms of difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Difficulty breathing and chest pain symptoms often progressed rapidly and some to the point of needing ventilator support. Advanced imaging, bronchoscopy and lung biopsies have been used to confirm that the illness characteristics are consistent with vaping injury. Treatment is individualized and specific to the patient’s symptoms. High dose steroids have proven effective in suppressing the immune system and decreasing the patient’s inflammatory response.

The CDC’s Acting Deputy Director, Ileana Arias, PhD, reported based on the available evidence, an infectious disease is not the cause of the severe lung illness.

Pushback from the Vaping Industry

The Vaping Technology Association, a trade group representing vaping businesses, released a statement pushing back the rush to single out vaping.

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“Current reports have failed to make a conclusive connection between industry standard nicotine containing vapor products and these hospitalizations, and in some cases, have conflated these vapor products with the use of THC- or marijuana-containing products,” the VTA says in a statement. “At this point, neither the treating physicians in these cases nor the Departments of Public Health have ascertained which products and substances are being used.”

Is There a Link to THC or Marijuana?

Many of the patients acknowledged vaping THC, the chemical responsible for the “high” in marijuana. However, health officials do not know if the illness cause is directly related to THC, another vaped street drug, e-cigarettes or if there were defects in the device.

One unproven theory is that the cause is from a thought to be or known to be toxic substances in vaping products, such as:

Ultrafine particulates and heavy metals (lead)
Propylene glycol (used as a base to mix nicotine)
Formaldehyde and acrolein (in flavorings)
Any of the above toxins can cause permanent lung damage.

A Second Front in the Battle Against Youth Vaping

The number of youth using e-cigarettes and vaping devices has reached epidemic proportions. Public health officials are now raising concerns about a potential second front in the battle against youth vaping. These concerns include:

Widely available and easy to get cannabis liquids and oils
Growing use of unregulated bootleg or black market cannabis liquids
Ingredients may not be disclosed to the consumer
Counterfeit devices, substances and liquids containing inexpertly mixed concoctions
Cartridges filled with mixed substances by the youth consumer.

Why the Surge of Illness Now?

Battery-powered e-cigarette devices are not new and have been on the market for over 10 years. Officials do not know why emergency departments are seeing a surge in lung illness linked to vaping. Health officials warn anyone who has chest pain or difficulty breathing weeks or months after vaping, seek immediate medical attention.

The FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal for Tobacco is available online if someone is experiencing a health or safety issue with a tobacco product.

If you experience a problem with a tobacco product, such as an unexpected health or safety issue, report it online using the Safety Reporting Portal. This includes issues with cigarettes, roll-your-own cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco. Problems with parts or components of tobacco products can also be reported.

You may submit reports about any tobacco product, including cigarettes, roll-your-own cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco. You can also report problems with the components and parts of tobacco products.

What are your thoughts? Have you cared for anyone with vape related respiratory illness?

Additional Resources:
CDC Media Release Vaping Related Death

First Likely Vaping Death Reported in U.S.

First Death in a Spate of Vaping Illnesses Reported by Health Officials