BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's not uncommon to hear coughing around this time of year. But as we enter influenza season, doctors are more vigilant than ever now that they know vaping-related lung injuries could be mistaken for flu or other infectious diseases.
"You don't want to miss this," said Dr. Martin Mahoney, Professor of Oncology in the Department of Health Behavior at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. "About half of the cases nationwide that ended up in intensive care units were seen one time prior to their admission. So, I think it's a case of clinicians across the country having a better understanding of the symptoms that patients present with and not just saying, 'Oh, it's this' but really keeping an open mind in terms of what could be the cause."
Health experts believe delaying treatment for a vaping injury could have serious consequences. So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed more than 1,300 vaping-related lung injury cases and 26 vaping-related deaths in the U.S.
"It does seem to be more focused on the teenage young adult population... so, maybe, late teens to age 30," said Mahoney.
Vaping related-lung injury symptoms:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tenderness
- Fevers
- Chills
Mahoney said there could also be gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.
If a vaping related injury is suspected, Mahoney says doctors will perform additional tests, "Probably start out with a chest x-ray, and if that showed any issues maybe a CT scan of the chest."
The CDC issued new guidelines for doctors in treating vaping-related illnesses.
"What health care professionals are advised to do when they encounter individuals in this targeted age range, younger adults, older teens," Mahoney said. "Ask in a non-confrontational mannar about the use of vaping products."
For parents, Mahoney says use common sense when deciding to have your kids checked out. If your child is vaping or has vaped in the past and isn't exhibiting symptoms there's likely no reason to panic.
But he adds that flu and common cold symptoms do eventually pass, and lingering symptoms should warrant a check-in with your doctor.
"Young people are typically healthy," Mahoney said. "They don't end up in the intensive care unit on a ventilator. So these kinds of situations are scary. Plus, we don't understand all the details here. We don't understand the mechanism of why some people get ill and some people don't get ill. The good news is most of these people recover and hopefully stay away from vaping devices going forward."
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