Is Dry Drowning A Risk After A Child Breathes In Water?

Posted on Sat, 21 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 21 Jan 2017 Answered on

Thu, 9 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My son (4 years old with asthma) just stuck his face under the bath water and breathed in enough to choke harsh enough to vomit a bit. I was right here and to him in a second holding his arms up. BUT should I be concerned about "dry drowning"? He seems fiNE now 3 minutes after, but his asthma always makes me paranoid.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
There can be reasons to be concerned about.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern. I think that it is very important to take him to a doctor and to get his chest evaluated (ausculcated). Irrespective of the possibilities of 'dry drowning' and stuff, it remains to be assessed how much water could possibly have gone in and if that could be serious.

I would not insist you to ignore and to take him to the ER at the earliest.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar