Question 1

is it possible for secondary drowning to occur after inhaling water while on the shower? i definitely inhaled some through my nose and i am worried

Accepted Answer

Unlikely : unless u inhaled a huge amount ..usually only happens in the ocean

Question 2

can you secondary drowned after inhaling coffee? or does it have to be from near drowning in water?

Accepted Answer

Inhaling coffee: would be called aspiration, but secondary drowning would be a term used by some

Question 3

my daughter (3) was swimming in our pool fully supervised. she came up from swimming under water and came up coughing and choking on water. im sure she if swallowed or inhaled. it looked as though she coughed out water. should i worry dry drowning?

Accepted Answer

: She may have swallowed or aspirated some water. If she develops a cough,fever, stridor, or any distress, please follow up with a physician. Otherwise, usually there is no complication based on your description. Observe her closely while in or around water.

Question 4

my child is 4 & learning to swim. he swallowed a gulp of pool water about four times in an hour, he coughed and cont playing. how would i know if he inhaled the water too? do i need to worry? i read about 2nd drowning or pneumonia. hes acting fine?

Accepted Answer

: The coughing reflex is designed to prevent significant aspiration, or the inhaling of a foreign substance. A small amount of water getting into the lungs is usually not problematic and coughing allows much of the aspiration to be prevented. If he develops signs of infection-like fever, decreased activity-or difficulty breathing, then have him seen by a doctor ASAP. Best of luck to you!

Question 5

my 5 year old was swimming in the pool and inhaled water a few times over the course of the day. his nose seems stuffy now. its been 6 hours since he swam. should i worry about secondary drowning overnight? the pulse ox is 99 right now?

Accepted Answer

: Does the child have any symptoms like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, coughing? If the child coughed when the water went in, he/she likely coughed out a good amount of the water. If the only symptom is a stuffy nose, he/she is likely ok at this point. If any other symptoms develop, especially breathing difficulties, then go to the nearest ER. There would likely be more symptoms by now.

Question 6

some water went down my windpipe and am coughing. afraid of secondary drowning but i can breathe ok now. will my asthma inhaler help if im still wheezing after awhile? also getting a headache that doesnt mean water is on my brain does it?

Accepted Answer

Water in trachea: The water in your wind pipe (trachea) will not drown you but will cause coughing at the time amid could transiently aggravate your asthma so the use of your inhaler in this setting would be helpful. The headache does not mean water on the brain. The headache is likely from the coughing and will pass. You will be ok.

Question 7

my one year old took in some water in the bath and he was chocking. what r  the chances of dry drowning. he was having a hard time catching his breath?

Accepted Answer

Choking: Some of the water made its way into the windpipe and his vocal cords went into a spasm causing him to choke., and cough. If the bath water had soap/body wash mixed in, irritation may also cause hoarseness of his voice or a more prolonged cough. More often than not, this situation does not cause any complications.

Question 8

swallowed lots of water and through nose at water park. couldnt breath for second after first time, had to cough. concerns about dry drowning later?

Accepted Answer

I wouldn't: Your epiglottis worked as it was designed to block the airway from having water run in. It then relaxed.

Question 9

i'm just wondering, if you sneeze under water will you drown?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: Sneezing is an involuntary reflex to something that irritates certain areas in the nose .  It is sudden inhalation followed by the forceful exhalation that we call a "sneeze".  This could get tricky underwater, but people have experienced this and lived to tell about it.  Basically most people feel it coming on and resist the inhale by keeping mouth closed; that's the trick to not drowning  ;).

Question 10

can a child drown by accidentally swallowing too much water in the bathtub?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: And this has happened often enough for it to be a concern.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Drown inhale water

A member asked:

Is it possible for secondary drowning to occur after inhaling water while on the shower? i definitely inhaled some through my nose and i am worried

A member asked:

Can you secondary drowned after inhaling coffee? or does it have to be from near drowning in water?

A member asked:

My daughter (3) was swimming in our pool fully supervised. she came up from swimming under water and came up coughing and choking on water. im sure she if swallowed or inhaled. it looked as though she coughed out water. should i worry dry drowning?

A member asked:

My child is 4 & learning to swim. he swallowed a gulp of pool water about four times in an hour, he coughed and cont playing. how would i know if he inhaled the water too? do i need to worry? i read about 2nd drowning or pneumonia. hes acting fine?

A member asked:

My 5 year old was swimming in the pool and inhaled water a few times over the course of the day. his nose seems stuffy now. its been 6 hours since he swam. should i worry about secondary drowning overnight? the pulse ox is 99 right now?

A member asked:

Some water went down my windpipe and am coughing. afraid of secondary drowning but i can breathe ok now. will my asthma inhaler help if im still wheezing after awhile? also getting a headache that doesnt mean water is on my brain does it?

A member asked:

My one year old took in some water in the bath and he was chocking. what r the chances of dry drowning. he was having a hard time catching his breath?

A member asked:

Swallowed lots of water and through nose at water park. couldnt breath for second after first time, had to cough. concerns about dry drowning later?

A member asked:

I'm just wondering, if you sneeze under water will you drown?

A member asked:

Can a child drown by accidentally swallowing too much water in the bathtub?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?