CDC Investigating Cases of Severe Lung Disease Tied to Vaping

By Kelly Young

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH

The CDC is now investigating nearly 100 possible cases of severe pulmonary disease linked to vaping, including e-cigarette use. They are urging clinicians to report cases of significant respiratory stress with an unknown cause and a history of vaping to their health departments, including information on the type of e-cigarette product used.

Since late June, possible cases have been reported in 14 states, including 30 in Wisconsin and 24 in Illinois. All patients said they had vaped before being admitted to the hospital. Many also said they used products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Initially only younger adults were being seen, but more recently older adults have presented with similar symptoms.

Patients have presented with cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Some patients had fever, chest pain, weight loss, nausea, and diarrhea. Chest radiographs demonstrated bilateral opacities, while CT showed diffuse ground-glass opacities, frequently with subpleural sparing. Nearly all patients were negative for infectious causes.

Some of the patients required mechanical ventilation but improved after receiving corticosteroids.