Health officials say that cases of vaping lung disease may be on the rise, however the condition can be misdiagnosed as COVID-19, Forbes reports.

EVALI Misdiagnosed as COVID-19?

In 2019, reports of EVALI, or e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, were frequently in the news. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some 2,800 people were hospitalized due to the condition, and at least 68 died. Cases occurred in 29 states, as well as the District of Columbia. For months the cause of the vaping lung disease was not known, but it’s now believed that inhaling vitamin-E acetate, a common vape additive, is to blame for the lung condition.

Incidents of EVALI peaked in August and September 2019. By February, new cases were so rare that the CDC stopped collecting reports about the condition. But EVALI and other vape-related illnesses may again be on the uptick.

EVALI symptoms may be easy to confuse with the symptoms of COVID-19, as both conditions affect the respiratory system. The most common symptoms of the former include shortness of breath, shallow breathing, cough, chest pain, fever and chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid heartbeat. With the exception of a rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing, these symptoms are also indicators of COVID-19. Since the surge of patients with COVID-19, EVALI or other vape-related conditions may not be at the forefront of healthcare workers’ minds.

California patients are required to undergo COVID-19 testing even if they are suspected of having EVALI. If it takes several days to get the test results, it may delay treatment if the condition turns out to be EVALI and not COVID-19. According to one report, it takes between one and eight days for a California patient to be diagnosed with EVALI, with a median diagnosis of three days following the initial evaluation.

Some physicians have posited that the uptick in EVALI cases may be linked to COVID-19. People who have a history of vaping and smoking may not be more likely to contract coronavirus, but due to potentially weakened lungs, they may be more likely to experience a severe case. In addition to the possibility that those who vape may be more prone to becoming seriously ill from the coronavirus, there may also be another connection. People may be vaping with greater frequency as a way to deal with the stress caused by the global pandemic.

Symptoms of Vaping Lung Disease

If you have experienced respiratory symptoms after using vapes, you may be suffering from vaping lung disease. The EVALI symptoms mentioned above — shortness of breath, cough, chest pain or tightness, shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea — may be an indication that you have inhaled vitamin-E acetate and have damaged your lungs. Seeking prompt treatment may be necessary.

In addition to lung injuries, other negative side effects of vaping include nicotine overdose, seizures, and damage to the brain and heart.

Speaking with a qualified attorney about your legal options may be a way for you to pursue compensation for any medical bills related to a vaping injury. Some victims of vaping lung disease may qualify to file a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of these devices.