NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Health reported six cases of suspected serious respiratory disease among people who use e-cigarettes or vaping devices.
Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a cluster of severe pulmonary disease among people who use e-cigarettes or vape, with 215 cases reported to date in 25 states.
‘’Tennessee health care providers are reporting to us any patients they treat for severe respiratory symptoms who report vaping in the weeks before they got sick,‘’ said TDH State Epidemiologist Tim Jones, MD. ‘’We’re investigating to look for common factors and collect information on specific components or brands of vaping products that may be the source of the illness.‘
They say patients saw symptoms including cough, shortness of breath and/or chest pain, growing worse over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital.
Other symptoms may include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. In many but not all cases, patients have acknowledged recent use of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC-containing e-cigarette products. Most of the cases are among adolescents and young adults.
