Secondary drowning: Boy dies a week after swimming pool visit

While there is nothing better for most children than splashing around in the water, a swimming trip for parents means one thing above all: to take care of the kids so they do not drown.

A case from the US now shows that we do not have to do this just while bathing. Even after that we should watch children closely. Because there is a phenomenon that is as scary as it sounds: "secondary" or "dry drowning"

In early June, a four-year-old boy died in Texas? One week after the visit to the swimming pool.

Symptoms like a gastrointestinal infection

The father Francisco Delgado noticed nothing special while splashing, his son Frankie was happy and fit when they went home. But soon afterwards he showed symptoms like a gastrointestinal infection. For days he had to vomit and had diarrhea.

About a week later, he suddenly woke up while sleeping? and then the breathing stopped. Emergency doctors could not revive him.

Closer examination revealed that the boy had water in the lungs and around the heart. He died of "secondary drowning".

What is "secondary drowning"?

Secondary drowning is when a child inadvertently inhales water while bathing and gets into the lungs. This can happen in knee-deep water or when jumping into the pool. Although the child coughs out a part, but there is too much water in the lungs. The smaller the child, the lower the amount of water that can become a hazard.

In severe cases, inflammation and edema in the lungs may occur in the hours and days thereafter. The oxygen is no longer transported properly. Eventually the child will suffocate if it is not treated. That can take a few hours or even days.

If you notice the following symptoms after bathing, you should quickly see a doctor: