What informal terms are sometimes used to describe delayed respiratory decline following apparent recovery from submersion?

Answer

secondary drowning or dry drowning

Secondary drowning or dry drowning are informal terms used to describe complications that manifest hours after a person has seemingly recovered from a nonfatal submersion event. This delayed decline is medically understood as complications arising post-rescue, often stemming from the fluid shifts and inflammation initiated by the aspiration of a small amount of water. Even if the person seems fine shortly after being removed from the water—walking, talking, or acting normally—the ongoing inflammation and resulting pulmonary edema in the lungs may worsen, leading to sudden shortness of breath, coughing, or fatigue much later. This possibility mandates medical evaluation for anyone who has had water enter their airway.

What informal terms are sometimes used to describe delayed respiratory decline following apparent recovery from submersion?

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