COVID-19 and Vaping: A Call to Advocacy and Intervention

Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, pediatricians were witnessing a new, fast-growing and troubling trend – the association between teen vaping and acute lung injury. Given that, it is not surprising that a recent study by researchers at Stanford University has shown a link between vaping and a substantially increased risk of COIVD-19 among teenagers and young adults.

Listen to a pediatric pulmonologist discuss COVID-19 and vaping

In this episode, we revisit the topic of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and the impact of COVID-19 on teens who vape with Robin Deterding, MD.

Dr. Deterding is the Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Children’s Hospital Colorado and is Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• Updates on what’s changed with EVALI since the last time she was on the podcast
• New survey data on risky behaviors and vaping
• The development of programs to help kids stop smoking and vaping
• The importance of screening procedures for vaping and other substance use in pediatricians’ offices
• The intersection of vaping and SARS-CoV-2
• The importance of continuing to ask about vaping due to the similarity of EVALI symptoms to flu and COVID-19 symptoms and the need to treat EVALI differently
• The risk of active pulmonary symptoms among children who vape regularly and get SARS-CoV-2
• How addiction intervention programs can be financially supported
• Additional opportunities for pediatricians to get involved

Treatment of EVALI at Children’s Colorado

Pediatric pulmonology experts at Children's Colorado are nationally recognized for their work with children who have common and complex breathing problems. Our pediatric pulmonologists, along with other Colorado physicians, pioneered many of the standard practices used to treat and diagnose pediatric respiratory disease today.