Child dies days after swimming in Amman. Warnings of `dry drowning`!

Arab Weather - With the arrival of summer and the rise in temperatures, families are increasingly heading to swimming pools as a means of entertainment and relief from the heat, especially among children. However, this fun atmosphere may hide a silent danger known as "dry drowning," a rare type of drowning that does not occur inside the water, but rather hours or even days after leaving it. In recent years, several deaths related to this type of drowning have been recorded, the most recent of which was the death of a child in the capital, Amman, four days after swimming. This highlights the importance of monitoring children even after they leave the pool and seeking medical advice immediately if any abnormal symptoms appear.

What is dry drowning?

Dry drowning is a rare and serious condition that occurs when water enters the airway (such as the larynx or trachea) without actually reaching the lungs, but causes spasm of the vocal cords or a strong reaction of the body that prevents normal breathing. This worsens over time and may prevent oxygen from reaching the body, eventually leading to suffocation within days without any obvious symptoms at first.

Symptoms of dry drowning:

• Difficulty breathing or breathing with a strange sound (whistling)
• persistent cough after getting out of the water
• extreme tiredness or unusual drowsiness
• blue lips or skin
• change in behavior or confusion

Who is most at risk of dry drowning?

• young children
• Those who are temporarily suffocated by water or nearly drowned while swimming

Is dry drowning fatal?

It can be fatal if not noticed and treated promptly, but if symptoms are recognized early, treatment is simple and usually involves monitoring the person in the hospital until respiratory function returns to normal.