Texas boy dies of dry drowning

[Birddog1911]

A Texas boy died of "dry drowning" nearly a week after he went swimming on a family trip, his family said.

Frankie, 4, was on a family trip during Memorial Day weekend when he went swimming in the Texas City Dike, his father, Francisco Delgado Jr., told KTRK-TV.

Texas boy dies of 'dry drowning' after swimming trip, family says

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[AFdivedoc]

This is a very sad story, but some corrections are in order.

"Dry drowning" is when there is little or no water found in the lungs of a deceased drowning victim. The actual existence of it is debated.

Delayed or secondary drowning is when the victim seems to recover, but then gets sick and dies days after a near-drowning incident. These victims develop post-immersion syndrome, from the inflammatory changes induced by the aspirated water, microbes, etc. This is why near-drowning victims need to be followed closely.

The story did not reference a near-drowning incident. It is possible this sad case had nothing to do with swimming or near-drowning, but was due another cause, like an infectious disease/pneumonia. I can't tell from the story.

 

[DandyDon]

Delayed or secondary drowning is when the victim seems to recover, but then gets sick and dies days after a near-drowning incident.

Yeah, Delayed or secondary drowning seems to be very different from Dry drowning. I had a laryngospasm once in the shallow end of a pool that I thought was going to kill me - embarrassing.

Delayed or secondary drowning can happen to anyone, right - but more of a risk to toddlers?

 

[Texasguy]

Tried to google but internet seems not in agreement what dry drowning is. Similarly, I think this article refers to a more descriptive term of "secondary drowning", where gradual oxygen loss is the cause.