What are the symptoms of vaping illnesses, and what's causing lung injuries and deaths? Here's what we know.

In July, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin reported that doctors had seen a cluster of teenagers showing up with serious lung injuries since mid-June. Extensive testing for infection, cancer and other ailments came back negative.

The only common thread was that all the teens reported vaping.

What are the symptoms of a vaping-related illness?

Doctors say patients have come in with a wide array of symptoms and with a varying degree of severity. The most common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Trouble doing routine activities

• Cough

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Fever

• Vomiting and diarrhea.

Not all patients had all symptoms. Some may have been diagnosed earlier by their primary care doctor with pneumonia.

What were the teens vaping?

In Wisconsin, early reports from teen and young adult patients revealed that 24 of 27 individuals with confirmed lung injuries reported vaping products with THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Sixteen of the 27 – nearly 60% — said they vaped nicotine. Health officials said many reported using both, but officials did not provide a number.

Nationally, most people who have become ill reported vaping products containing THC. Many reported using THC and nicotine, and some reported using e-cigarettes containing only nicotine, federal officials said.

How many lung illnesses linked to vaping have been reported?

Federal officials say there are at least 2,561 cases of hospitalizations due to vaping-linked lung injuries reported by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 2 U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

How many people have died after vaping?

Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say 55 deaths have been confirmed. More deaths are under investigation.

What is making people sick?

The outbreak remains under investigation. Epidemiologists at state health departments across the country and with the CDC are still investigating what specifically might be causing the lung damage.

No one e-cigarette or vaping product, substance or additive has been identified in all cases, nor has any one product or substance been conclusively linked to the lung illnesses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Officials have not ruled out nicotine-containing vapes.

How many cases have been reported in Wisconsin?

State officials say that as of Oct. 3, there were 87 cases in Wisconsin, with another 15 patients whose cases need further investigation. 

What are doctors doing to treat vaping-related lung injuries?

The treatments that have been helpful for most patients include high doses of steroids and positive pressure supplemental oxygen. In some cases, patients have required intubation and ventilation. Antibiotics, for the most part, have not been effective, doctors said.

What should parents do if we suspect our child might be getting sick from vaping?

Doctors advise parents to talk to your teen. Assure them that it is safe to be truthful about their experience with vaping. Go quickly to your primary care doctor and inform the doctor that your child has been vaping.

I’m a teenager who has been vaping and have been feeling short of breath, exhausted and have a lingering cough. What should I do?

Doctors say you should stop vaping immediately and let your doctor know that you have been vaping. They encourage you to put your health above any shame or fear of getting in trouble. Doctors need you to be honest about your social habits in order to understand what could be making you sick and to get you the proper treatment as soon as possible.