Indiana is looking into reports of 18 cases of a mysterious respiratory illness possibly linked to e-cigarettes. That number has grown from under a dozen about a week ago.
The patients in the Indiana cases range in age from 16 to 65, but tend to be younger. The median age is 26.
According to the state health department, almost three-quarters are male.
Patients reported respiratory symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. All were placed on oxygen but only a few needed a ventilator.
The cases in Indiana are among the around 150 reported in recent weeks across the country. There haven’t been any reports of death.
State and federal health officials are still investigating. For now, it’s unclear what’s behind the sickness.
Patients were tested for bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, but all tests came back negative.
