Most of the parents think that the risk of drowning is over once their child is done swimming. However, this risk still exists after your child gets out of the water. This is a rare condition, called secondary drowning, that can occur hours after having a swim which, if not treated immediately, can result in death. Cassandra Jackson, like most of the parents, was not aware of this condition and, she was faced with this misfortune when she found her son in a terrifying state.
The Boy Died from ‘Secondary Drowning’ after Swallowing Water
Johnny Jackson, a 10-year-old boy from South Carolina, died from swallowing swimming pool water. After spending the day at the swimming pool, Johnny went home, …show more content…
Jackson immediately took her son to the ER. However, the doctors didn’t manage to save the boy’s life because it was too late. They said that he died because of a condition, called ‘Secondary Drowning’. This condition occurred as a result of swallowing water from the pool.
Secondary drowning is a condition that can occur when water enters the lungs and disrupts the surfactant, a substance that protects the tiny airways inside the lungs. When this happens, there is a restriction of the air flow and a collapse of the airways. The lungs fail to transport oxygen into the bloodstream, which can result in death within up to 72 hours. This condition most commonly affects children and, it can appear from swallowing even a small amount of water.
After your child is done swimming, you should keep a close eye on them. If they are exposed to this condition, the symptoms will appear within 72 hours. The symptoms of this condition are shortness of breath, coughing, excessive tiredness and chest pain. Also, there may be a reduction of the energy levels, irritability, and changes in the behavior without any particular reason, which are signs of a lack of oxygen in the brain. Although these symptoms are likely to fade away, you should take your child to a hospital as soon as