State warns illnesses may be tied to vaping

Illinois Department of Public Health

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health is working with local health departments to investigate the hospitalization of three young people who experienced severe breathing problems after vaping.

Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 11 confirmed and seven suspected cases of severe pulmonary disease among adolescents who reported vaping. Their symptoms included cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

"Vaping among teens has increased dramatically over the last several years," said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "While the short- and long-term effects of vaping are still being researched, these recent hospitalizations heighten the need for parents talk with their teens about vaping and for both to understand the consequences and potential dangers of vaping."

People who experience any type of chest pain or difficulty breathing after vaping in the weeks or months prior to these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.