Several states have recently reported cases of severe respiratory illness among teenagers and young adults with a history of vaping. Reported symptoms include cough, fatigue, dizziness, headache, vomiting and diarrhea, chest pain, and worsening difficulty breathing, sometimes requiring intensive care. A variety of vaping products associated with the illnesses have been reported across states, but THC has been commonly associated with these illnesses.
Youth should be discouraged from using vaping and e-cigarette products of any kind as the long-term health impacts for youth using these products are unknown. Patients with a history of vaping who are experiencing breathing problems should seek medical care. Health care providers should ask patients with respiratory illness about the use of vaping and e-cigarette products. Health care providers are asked to report severe respiratory illness in patients with a history of vaping or e-cigarette use to the Iowa Department of Public Health (1-800-362-2736).
For more information on vaping, e-cigarettes and electronic smoking devices, click here.
This is an emerging health issue that is still under investigation. Below you will find links to information from the CDC and IDPH.
Beginning November 5, 2019, to align with CDC's case count updates, Iowa weekly case counts will be posted to this page on Tuesdays.
(Numbers are cumulative; cases are reported across the state and ages range from 15 to 62)
For general questions about emerging health issues, use the Contact Us system to submit a to IDPH.