Public Health Officials Urge Patients To Disclose Vaping Products Used

Vaping is under scrutiny lately, as hundreds across the U.S. have been sickened with a mysterious lung illness.

A handful of people have died after being hospitalized for the vaping-related respiratory illness, including one death in Illinois.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults consider not using e-cigarettes while they continue to investigate. Health officials continue to warn youth and young adults about the dangers of vaping.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde encourages anyone with symptoms – including coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain and nausea – to see a doctor and not to fear being open with them about the vaping products they’ve used.

“(If) they still have the products – we don’t care if they’re legal, illegal, or  if they were made in their basement, we really don’t care – we just would like to get it so we can send it off for testing,” Pryde said. 

Pryde said the information and materials can help public health officials in their investigation into what’s causing the illnesses.

Investigators have not determined whether a specific vaping device or chemical ingredient is causing the illnesses, which Pryde says have affected 68 people in Illinois so far.

The Food and Drug Administration urges consumers to avoid buying vaping products on the street and refrain from modifying any vaping products purchased in stores.

In a statement, the FDA said the illnesses may be linked to THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, as well as the chemical vitamin E acetate, although the investigation is ongoing.

Follow Christine on Twitter: @CTHerman