News
A poison center at UVA is issuing a warning for people who vape.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) –
The Blue Ridge Poison Center at the University of Virginia is issuing a warning following serious illnesses that appear to be linked to vaping across the country.
Studies into reported lung illnesses, as well as the long-term health effects of vaping, have yet to come back and doctors say that at this point, no one can say vaping is safe. This year, 94 people across the country have suffered from flu-like symptoms such as fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath, with some of those leading to hospitalizations and life support.
Vaping is especially popular with high school students and college students, according to the BRPC’s medical director Christopher Holstege.
“I keep hearing that they think this is safe and pretty benign and most don’t even know that there’s nicotine in it,” Holstege said. “We know that nicotine has addition in it and it’s very reminiscent of tobacco and what happened in the 1940s when it really exploded.”
Holstege says while there have not been any cases of those symptoms in Virginia, you should still see a doctor if you feel sick after vaping.
The Center for Disease Control and Virginia Department of Health are studying what exactly is in the liquid that people vape with. The hopes is that they can identify what chemical is causing damage now, as well as long-term effects from chronic use.
