An Ontario Teen Was Put On Life Support & Hospitalized For 47 Days Because Of Vaping
An Ontario teen narrowly avoided a double lung transplant after being put on life support in connection to a severe vaping-related illness. According to CBC, a 17-year-old boy was taken to the emergency room of a London, Ontario hospital with a severe cough, fever, and shortness of breath. The patient was initially diagnosed with pneumonia and sent home. However, his condition quickly worsened, and five days later, he returned to the hospital and was placed on a ventilator.
The boy’s condition continued to deteriorate for several weeks until he was eventually transferred to Toronto General Hospital to be assessed for a double lung transplant.
Thankfully, after being treated with high-dose steroids, his condition began to improve. He finally returned home after a 47-day stay in the hospital and is still recovering from chronic lung damage.
A study posted in the Canadian Medical Association Journal highlighted the fact that the teen’s symptoms were eerily similar to those produced by “popcorn lung” – a disease that affects factory workers who developed lung problems from inhaling heated flavouring.
“Vaping e-liquids expose the user to several potentially harmful chemicals, including diacetyl, a flavouring compound known to cause bronchiolitis obliterans with inhalational exposure,” the study warns.
According to CTV News, the doctors explained that the teen’s case is further proof that vaping-related illnesses can take different forms.
Medical experts are now calling for more research into a growing trend that is already sounding alarm bells in Canada and other parts of the world.
"We know that vaping is often seen in a younger population," stated Dr. Simon Landman, who works as a physician at the London Health Sciences Centre and who was directly involved in the teen's care.
"We don't want to see anybody sick, but it's quite eye-opening when it's very young people who have been previously healthy."
The Canadian government reported that, as of November 14, 2019, there are eight confirmed or probable cases of severe lung illness related to vaping.
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