EVALI: What you need to know
September 11, 2020
September 11, 2020
Last updated: 8/23/20
UPDATE:
In 2019, a sudden and severe lung illness from vaping affected over a thousand people in the US1, becoming a public health crisis. All patients were hospitalized, with treatments including medically induced comas,2,3 breathing machines4, and other life support measures.5
Patients experienced a range of warning signs before going to the hospital. Doctors treated patients with many different symptoms, from trouble breathing6 to lung damage that looks like chemical burns.7 The exact cause of the outbreak is unknown,8 but here’s what we do know:
For reports on California outbreak information, visit California Department of Public Health and download the EVALI Update Report.
People with lung damage from vaping usually show signs that start a few days to a few weeks before they go see a doctor.18 All people hospitalized had some type of breathing problem, but many people also have other symptoms. The warning signs reported by those affected are:
If you vape and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please see a doctor. Keep in mind, you don’t have to be a long-time user in order to develop the lung illness. New users have been affected as well. 19,20
CDPH urges everyone to quit vaping altogether, no matter the substance or source. Need help quitting? Call 1-844-8-NO-VAPE or CHAT NOW. For additional resources go to NoButts.org.
In addition to the danger of EVALI, growing evidence suggests that the aerosol from vaping devices can harm lungs at the cellular and organ levels and worsen the body’s ability to fight respiratory infections.21 If you smoke or vape and get the COVID-19 virus, you increase your risk of developing more severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Get more EVALI information from the CDC.
Read more about the negative health effects of vaping: