The mysterious, yet notorious vaping illness has been spreading across the United States like wildfire. Last week, the problem came knocking on our front door as a teenager in King County fell victim. Nationwide, the issue of illicit vaporizer products whether they be for nicotine or THC has currently left 380 in fatal condition, and six dead. Today, this mysterious illness has put two Spokane residents into the hospital. One is a teenager and the other is a person in their late 20s, per The Spokesman
The two patients that were put in the hospital in Spokane both had similar symptoms. An unproductive cough that produces no phlegm, with low oxygen levels and sharp chest pains. These symptoms have been consistent with all of the other cases so far in this investigation. The two patients have been reportedly treated and discharged from the hospital, according to Spokane County Health Officer Bob Lutz.
Vaping Illness Spreads To Spokane
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been regularly updating its page on what they do and don’t know about this ongoing problem. What they do know is that 36 states make up the now 380 cases of the mysterious lung illness that is seemingly from vaping. Out of all these cases, they also know that most patients have a history of using vaporizers containing THC. The rest report using both THC and nicotine vapes, while even some say they’re only vaping nicotine.
This is creating a lack of consistency that’s left everyone wondering what could be the source. Whether it’s the cartridge or the stuff people are putting inside, it begs the question of regulations on these products. According to the FDA’s recent study on e-cigarette use in high school students, it’s only getting more popular. Usage went up from 11.7% to 20.8% from 2017 to 2018. With vape products consistently gaining popularity and no clear source of what’s causing the illness, further investigation is utterly necessary.
