Sudden and severe lung illness tied to vaping confirmed in Colorado

Last week, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported that Colorado has one confirmed case and three suspected cases of sudden and severe lung illness tied to vaping. Staff members are actively investigating these cases, and no additional cases were reported over the weekend. All the cases involve patients living in the Front Range area. The confirmed case is a young adult, and all suspected cases are adults.

As of Aug. 19, there had been 120 suspected cases reported in 15 states. Many of the affected people have been hospitalized. All reported vaping liquids or oils that contained nicotine, marijuana, CBD, synthetic marijuana or a combination of these.

“This is a serious situation, and people who vape should be on high alert, as should medical providers treating patients who vape,” said Dr. Tista Ghosh, chief medical officer at the CDPHE. “Since the department has been actively notifying providers and hospitals of the symptoms, we expect we may get more reported cases.”

Colorado has an unusually high rate of teen and young adult nicotine vaping. Colorado clinicians, school-based health centers, campus health centers, parents and people who vape should be aware that this outbreak is occurring and be on the lookout for symptoms, which include:

— Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
— Chest pain.
— Cough.
— Fatigue.
— Possible fever.

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