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Is Accidental Swallowing Of Pool Water By Infant Harmful?

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Posted on Tue, 26 May 2015
Question: we are on vacation and my son was swimming in the pool. he swallowed a mouthful of water. this was around 4 hours ago. he coughed for a minute and then was fine. he was fine after also and went to bed about an
hour ago. he is almost 4 years old. I'm a worrying mother, how worried do I need to be about secondary drowning or dry drowning?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jignesh Gorasia (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Just relax and Don't take tension, nothing to worry....

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I admire your positive outlook and appreciate your concern for your son.
I would like to ensure you that according to your history, chances of secondary drowning or dry drowning are very rare, so please be relaxed and tension free.
Your son had coughed and that is a natural reflex due to water, so no need to worry. Usually if mouthful of water enters into respiratory tract, then there will be signs and symptoms like coughing, sneezing, increased respiratory rate, difficulty in breathing, etc. And these symptoms appears within an hour or so. But in your case, even after 4 hours there are no such signs, so be assured that most of the water might have entered into stomach, not in lungs.
Hope this helps you and feel free to ask any further questions directly to me. Wishing you and your son a very healthy life ahead.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jignesh Gorasia (5 minutes later)
He did sneeze a few times in the pool after the coughing but hasn't done so since. I haven't heard him wheeze or anything like that. the dry drowning just scares me since the first time I heard about it. he's been sleeping fine and his breathing seems to be normal. I just needed re assurance. thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jignesh Gorasia (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome anytime and don't get scared...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As everything is normal now, no need to be scared. As i told you sneezing and coughing are protective natural reflexes, so you need not to worry much about it. If it continues for a very long time, then only you need to seek treatment.
I hope you are not scared now and you are welcome anytime to ask your questions.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Jignesh Gorasia

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 430 Questions

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Is Accidental Swallowing Of Pool Water By Infant Harmful?

Brief Answer: Just relax and Don't take tension, nothing to worry.... Detailed Answer: Hello, I admire your positive outlook and appreciate your concern for your son. I would like to ensure you that according to your history, chances of secondary drowning or dry drowning are very rare, so please be relaxed and tension free. Your son had coughed and that is a natural reflex due to water, so no need to worry. Usually if mouthful of water enters into respiratory tract, then there will be signs and symptoms like coughing, sneezing, increased respiratory rate, difficulty in breathing, etc. And these symptoms appears within an hour or so. But in your case, even after 4 hours there are no such signs, so be assured that most of the water might have entered into stomach, not in lungs. Hope this helps you and feel free to ask any further questions directly to me. Wishing you and your son a very healthy life ahead.