Doctors worry that vaping could cause pneumonia-like symptoms

PITTSBURGH — Four teen and young adult patients have recently seen doctors at UPMC after suffering from lung injuries with symptoms mimicking flu or pneumonia.

Doctors say those patients had a history of vaping.

"We find them to have very low oxygen levels, dangerously low, to the point where we've had patients require mechanical ventilation or a respirator," said Dr. Michael Lynch, the director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center at UPMC.

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"People generally indicate that they had been vaping for at least weeks prior to the onset of these symptoms," Lynch said.

In just the last two weeks, UPMC doctors have treated four people between the ages of 16 and 20.

"Several have gotten better, improved and made full recoveries, and we're still in the process of treating some patients who have not yet recovered," Lynch said.

Doctors said it's hard to pinpoint what could cause these symptoms, but they're happening with enough frequency that the doctors said it's important to keep an eye on them.

If you're experiencing health issues that may be related to vaping related you should contact your doctor or call 800-222-1222 to speak to someone at the Pittsburgh Poison Center.

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