“Dry drowning” is a misnomer—and in fact, isn't a real medical term. If a child is involved in a near-drowning incident and experiences significant coughing, choking, sputtering or gasping after ingesting water, this means water likely entered the trachea and is making its way toward the lungs.
This inhalation of water, also called aspiration, might be demonstrated in the moment it happens by just a small bout of coughing or gasping. That first coughing fit may end after a few moments. However, over the next several hours, the small amount of water that got into the lungs begins to wreak havoc.
If you think your baby may have inhaled water into their lungs, sit them upright. Monitor them for any breathing changes and call an ambulance immediately if they are not breathing and/or their colour changes.
Signs & Symptoms to watch out for:
Lethargy – decreased energy. Breathing difficulties – shortness of breath, fast breathing. Sudden change in mood, agitated, confusion. Pale or blue skin.
The symptoms of dry drowning begin almost immediately after a drowning incident, while secondary drowning symptoms may start 1-24 hours after water enters the lungs. Symptoms may include coughing, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and lethargy.
Dry drowning (and "secondary drowning," which happens when a little water gets into the lungs) can be scary for everyone involved because although the child may appear fine at first, symptoms can appear as long as 24 hours after the initial incident.
Sometimes pool, ocean or bath water gets into a child's lungs. The water gets into the lining of the lungs, causing irritation and infection. This is known as pulmonary edema. You might notice that your child has trouble breathing right away, or symptoms can arise up to 24 hours following exposure to water.
If your child aspirates, they may present with a cough when drinking or eating. Aspiration can cause symptoms including: coughing when drinking, particularly with thin liquids. difficulty feeding.
Leftover fluid in the lungs causes the baby to breathe rapidly. It is harder for the small air sacs of the lungs to stay open. TTN is more likely to occur in babies who are: Born before 38 completed weeks gestation (preterm, or early term)
Nonfatal or "secondary drowning" — when there has been an event in the water and the child has been fine for a time — is very rare, and is actually a pneumonia-like condition.
Secondary drowning is relatively rare. Most people will get into a bit of trouble in the pool or get knocked over by a wave and jump right back up. “The problem is, if secondary drowning goes unrecognized, it can be deadly. That's why it's so important to be vigilant,” she said.
Diagnosis of dry drowning can involve medical tests. An O2 saturation test can be used to quickly assess how well a person is breathing. A chest X-Ray can identify water in the lungs. An X-Ray can also identify pulmonary edema, which is excess fluid in the lungs that can develop due to lung damage.
Treating Dry Drowning
The right suction unit can remove water from the airway and prevent further inhalation of water. Once a person is stabilized, it's important to transport them to a hospital for further monitoring.
Babies can allow this fluid to collect there but adults would have to cough it out or swallow it down. As the child breathes through the fluid, it makes a bubbling noise.
Infant pulmonary function testing (iPFT) is a way to measure the breathing of babies and toddlers. The test is done by having your child breathe in a special machine to take measurements of how much air is in his or her lungs. The iPFT is done under sedation.
Because of the large amount of water in the tub, all of these substances are very dilute and will not harm your child. The chances of having any symptoms are very low, but if a large amount is swallowed, there may be minor stomach upset, with possible vomiting often related to the shampoo and soap in the water.
Children can start showing symptoms of dry drowning 24 to 48 hours after inhaling water. Purva says symptoms can include coughing, vomiting, fever, struggling for breath and mood swings.
When referring to “secondary drowning,” most people are referring to the complications that occur as a result of aspiration of water into the lungs. When a child aspirates any foreign substances, including fresh/salt/chlorinated water or vomit, it can cause progressive injury and inflammation within the lungs.
Delayed symptoms of drowning include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, and chest discomfort. If a victim shows these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
Swimmers cough because of swimming pool disinfection byproducts (DBPs) that go airborne. These airborne DBPs are commonly referred to generally as chloramines, but include other things like trihalomethane and cyanogen chloride.