CDC warns against vaping as mysterious "vape lung" disease spreads

[Jamie McKane]

CDC warns against vaping as mysterious "vape lung" disease spreads

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned against the dangers of vaping as the number of people afflicted by a mysterious "vape lung" condition continues to increase.

It has been reported that around 450 people are thought to be affected by this condition, with as many as five dying from it.

 

[Gordon_R]

The headline is misleading, as its not actually a disease, and its not spread from person to person. The most likely cause is an unapproved contaminant in black-market vaping capsules.

A clearer description can be found elsewhere: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49602180

Experts are investigating a mysterious lung disease linked to use of e-cigarettes which has affected more than 200 people around the country.

Several of the cases - which have emerged since the end of June - involve vaping THC, the main active compound in cannabis, experts from the US Centers for Disease Control Prevention said.

Oregon health official Ann Thomas said it was not clear whether the most recently reported victim's illness was caused by contaminants, ingredients in the liquid or the vaping device itself.

Meanwhile the Washington Post reported that health officials had linked the illnesses to an oil derived from vitamin E , found in samples of marijuana products used by victims.

 

[C4Cat]

The headline is misleading, as its not actually a disease, and its not spread from person to person. The most likely cause is an unapproved contaminant in black-market vaping capsules.

A clearer description can be found elsewhere: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49602180

The article you linked to calls it a disease multiple times. The very first paragraph says "A second person has died in the US from a severe lung disease apparently caused by vaping", so no, the headline is not misleading. Not all diseases are infectious

Edit: never mind, you are right, it's the headline saying it's spreading that is misleading, I get it!

 

[Gordon_R]

The article you linked to calls it a disease multiple times. The very first paragraph says "A second person has died in the US from a severe lung disease apparently caused by vaping", so no, the headline is not misleading. Not all diseases are infectious

Its sloppy journalism. Yes there are various kinds of diseases, but this is an acute illness caused by an external agent.

Edit: The CDC article is actually a lot clearer than the MyBB version, though it also uses 'disease' in the headline, presumably for space reasons: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0906-vaping-related-illness.html

 

[C4Cat]

Its sloppy journalism. Yes there are various kinds of diseases, but this is an acute illness caused by an external agent.

Yeah, I updated my post (it is still a disease, though, it's a disease caused by something in the vape liquid.)

 

[wbot]

You're still inhaling harmful chemicals so of course you'll still get sick.

 

[Swa]

Can they be more specific? Is it like an asthma attack or a real disease with physical changes?

There is no evidence yet that vaping is less harmful than cigarettes.

 

[Willie Trombone]

The headline is misleading, as its not actually a disease, and its not spread from person to person. The most likely cause is an unapproved contaminant in black-market vaping capsules.

A clearer description can be found elsewhere: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49602180

It doesn't have to be contagious to be a disease. Heart disease is not contagious.

"There are four main types of disease: infectious diseases, deficiency diseases, hereditary diseases (including both genetic diseases and non-genetic hereditary diseases), and physiological diseases. Diseases can also be classified in other ways, such as communicable versus non-communicable diseases. The deadliest diseases in humans are coronary artery disease (blood flow obstruction), followed by cerebrovascular disease and lower respiratory infections.[3] In developed countries, the diseases that cause the most sickness overall are neuropsychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety."

 

[Gordon_R]

It doesn't have to be contagious to be a disease. Heart disease is not contagious.

Nitpicking, see above...

 

[noxibox]

You're still inhaling harmful chemicals so of course you'll still get sick.

This particular case is quite unusual. So it is not a matter of, in general, of course you'll get sick.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Nitpicking, see above...

It's not nitpicking. Unless you're talking about your post I've quoted wiki for you.

 

[Gordon_R]

It's not nitpicking. Unless you're talking about your post I've quoted wiki for you.

Yes, I have all of those kinds of diseases, but they do not spread. You keep misreading my post...

 

[Willie Trombone]

Yes, I have all of those kinds of diseases, but they do not spread. You keep misreading my post...

I doubt I do. You haven't explained WHY it doesn't cause disease.
Remember that illness is often used as a synonym for disease.

 

[ISP cash cow]

I am confused as it it seems to be saying that the cause is mysterious? I thought that popcorn lung due to the addition of the chemical diacetyl and other similar chemicals in the vapes liquids (which is known to cause all the listed symptoms) had already been determined to be the issue behind the health problems.

Is it not popcorn lung causing the issue in the vape pens?

 

[Willie Trombone]

I am confused as it it seems to be saying that the cause is mysterious? I thought that popcorn lung due to the addition of the chemical diacetyl and other similar chemicals in the vapes liquids (which is known to cause all the listed symptoms) had already been determined to be the issue behind the health problems.

Is it not popcorn lung causing the issue in the vape pens?

CDC isn't convinced. I think what you're describing is what a NYC study isolated but CDC isn't convinced it's just that.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Im betting its one of those fake THC oil type vape liquids that has been used.
Its like all the fake cannabis products out there which are just chemicals on some kind of plant matter which is made to look like the real stuff.
Lots of people got properly wrecked by that stuff and Im assuming this isnt far off.

 

[Neuk_]

I am confused as it it seems to be saying that the cause is mysterious? I thought that popcorn lung due to the addition of the chemical diacetyl and other similar chemicals in the vapes liquids (which is known to cause all the listed symptoms) had already been determined to be the issue behind the health problems.

Is it not popcorn lung causing the issue in the vape pens?

No, as far as I am aware, there has not been anything to link vaping and popcorn lung. As a comparison, vape liquids containing diacetyl have on average, 750 times less than a cigarette.

 

[Neuk_]

Im betting its one of those fake THC oil type vape liquids that has been used.
Its like all the fake cannabis products out there which are just chemicals on some kind of plant matter which is made to look like the real stuff.
Lots of people got properly wrecked by that stuff and Im assuming this isnt far off.

That is what I understand as well, it is linked to vape liquids containing THC but is being reported as vaping in general, which is grossly inaccurate.

 

[C4Cat]

That is what I understand as well, it is linked to vape liquids containing THC but is being reported as vaping in general, which is grossly inaccurate.

They haven't yet determined the cause

 

[Neuk_]

They haven't yet determined the cause

Thanks for clearing that up.