GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas — Galveston County Health District officials confirmed Monday its first death associated with e-cigarette or vaping-related associated lung injury.
The patient was a Galveston County woman in her early 30s, who passed away on Dec. 29 at a local hospital while being treated for associated lung injury. She had been hospitalized for several months before her death.
For patient confidentiality purposes, GCHD is not releasing additional identifying information.
"We’re very sad to report this death,” said Dr. Philip Keiser, of the Galveston County Health District. “I think it’s very sobering that we’re still seeing deaths from vaping illness. This is the second death in Texas.”
As of Jan. 3, GCHD has received four other confirmed or probable cases in patients hospitalized with associated lung injury, or EVALI. All are Galveston County residents and all have been released from the hospital.
Keiser said they believe the patient who died had been vaping THC. He said it’s common for THC vaping products to contain vitamin E, which can damage the lungs.
"It’s not so much the THC as it is what you need to get the THC soluble so you can smoke it through a vaping device,” Keiser said.
He applauds the move by the FDA to ban any sweet or fruity flavor for cartridge-based e-cigarettes and said it’s a good idea for parents to talk to their kids about the dangers.
E-cigarettes are devices that deliver an aerosol to the user by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals. The liquids are inhaled, a practice referred to as vaping.
Devices can also deliver other substances.
MORE ON VAPING
As part of its ongoing investigation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration recommend people should not use THC containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, particularly from friends, family or in-person/ online sellers.
According to the CDC, Vitamin E should not be added to e-cigarette or vaping products. Likewise, people should not add substances not intended by the manufacturer to products, including those purchased through retail establishments.
While it appears that Vitamin E acetate is related to EVALI, there are many different substances and product sources that are being investigated, according to the CDC.
Adults who continue to use an e-cigarette or vaping product should carefully monitor themselves for symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, chills or weight loss. Those who do experience symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Regardless of the ongoing investigation, the CDC advises:
- E-cigarette, or vaping, products should never be used by youths, young adults, or women who are pregnant.
- Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarette or vaping products.
- All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, carry a risk.
- THC use has been associated with a wide range of health effects, particularly with prolonged frequent use.
- The best way to avoid potentially harmful effects is to not use THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Persons engaging in ongoing cannabis (marijuana) use that leads to significant impairment or distress should seek evidence-based treatment by a healthcare provider.
ALSO POPULAR ON KHOU.COM