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Graphic shows details of U.S. lung injury cases and patients, and e-cigarette restrictions.
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HEALTH

U.S. lung injury cases, deaths continue to rise

By Mike Tyler

October 9, 2019 - The number of people afflicted with a mysterious vaping-related lung illness has surged beyond 1,000, according to U.S. health authorities, with no sign of the outbreak fading.

Doctors say the illnesses, which first appeared in March, resemble an inhalation injury. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. Most who got sick said they vaped products containing THC, the marijuana ingredient that causes a high, but some said they vaped only nicotine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 1,080 confirmed and probable cases have been reported in 48 states and one U.S. territory as of October 1. At least 23 deaths have also been reported.

More than a third of patients are under age 21, but the deaths have been older adults who apparently had more difficulty recovering.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 09/10/2019; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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