Vaping linked to lung injuries

The Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging Minnesota health care providers to be on alert for novel cases of severe lung disease potentially related to vaping and e-cigarette use among teens and young adults.

Children’s Minnesota has reported finding four cases of severe lung injury in the metro area, potentially related to vaping. These cases are similar to lung disease cases recently reported in Wisconsin and Illinois, though it is too early to say whether they are connected.

In Minnesota, symptoms have resulted in hospitalizations lasting multiple weeks, with some patients being admitted to the intensive care unit. Product names are unknown.

Clinical presentation among Minnesota cases included shortness of breath, fever, cough, and vomiting and diarrhea.

The U.S. Surgeon General calls teen e-cigarette use an epidemic.