The CDC is urging physicians nationwide to report potential cases of vaping-related illnesses.
The agency has shared the following recommendations for providers on diagnosing, treating and reporting vaping-related lung injuries:
- Ask all patients who report recent vaping use if they have any symptoms of respiratory illness.
- Consider all possible causes of respiratory symptoms and consult with specialists when appropriate.
- Providers may need to conduct a bronchoalveolar lavage procedure or lung biopsy to help diagnose a vaping-related illness.
- Report potential lung injury cases to local or state health departments within 90 days.
- Obtain a detailed history of the patient's vaping behaviors if there is a suspected link to lung injury.
- See if the patient's vaping device is available for testing through local or state health departments.
- Corticosteroid may be prescribed as an effective treatment for vaping-related illnesses on a case-by-case basis.
- Conduct a follow-up evaluation with patients who have received treatment for a vaping-related illness.
- Ask your local medical examiner or hospital pathologists to report potential vaping-related deaths, which should then be shared with state health officials.
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