Sept. 11, 2019 - Mysterious Vaping Disease… (gee wilikers, symptoms sure seem familiar)
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-49649486
What's behind a vaping illness outbreak in the US?
11 September 2019
Share this with Facebook
Share this with WhatsApp
Share this with Messenger
Share this with Twitter
Share
Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption There have been 450 reported cases of lung illnesses from vaping in the US
There's no denying that vapes and e-cigarettes are huge right now, with nearly three million UK users.
Vaping - which involves inhaling a mix typically made of nicotine, water, solvents and flavours - is seen as an alternative to smoking which can help you quit, but its safety is still not entirely known.
But over in the US, the potential health risks are in the spotlight, where this year there have been 450 reported cases of lung illness tied to vaping.
There have also been at least six deaths across 33 states.
Image copyright Instagram/Simahherman
One of the most shocking stories was of 18-year-old Simah Herman, who posted a picture of herself online after waking up from a medically induced coma.
After receiving treatment for pneumonia and lung failure, she wants to warn others against using vapes and e-cigarettes.
Simah's story, and that of other vape users, have raised questions about how safe vaping is and how well regulated the industry is.
Health officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who are responsible for protecting public health in the US, have been trying to identify what's been causing these problems.
What are the symptoms?
Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Vaping products come in many different forms - vape pens, e-cigarettes and more traditional vaporisers
According to a 2016 survey, there are about 10 million vapers in the US and nearly half of those are under 35, with 18-24-year-olds the most regular users.
It comes then as little surprise that many of the 450 people affected are young people, with an average age of 19.
The symptoms people have reported experiencing include severe pneumonia, shortness of breath, coughing, fever, fatigue and respiratory failure - where your body either can't break down oxygen, produce carbon dioxide, or both. The result is that your lungs stop working and breathing becomes difficult.
Those affected used a number of different devices from vaporisers to smaller e-cigarettes and a variety of different brands of liquids and cartridges.
continued…