CDC releases guidance on evaluating vaping-related lung injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated interim clinical guidance last week for evaluating and caring for patients with vaping-related lung injuries. This interim guidance offers clinicians a framework for their initial assessment, evaluation, management and follow-up of people with symptoms of lung injury. The CDC advises close follow-up of these individuals, as some patients who initially have mild symptoms experience a rapid worsening of symptoms within 48 hours. The agency also urges providers to consider multiple causes, including the possibility of lung injury, when evaluating patients with respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. As of Oct. 8, 2019, 26 deaths were associated with the use of vaping products and 1,299 cases of patients with lung injury were reported throughout the United States. (CDC news release, 10/11/19)