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Near-drowning is a common but out-of-date phrase for surviving a drowning event.
Drowning happens when a person is underwater and breathes water into the lungs. The airway (larynx) can spasm and close, or water can damage the lungs and keep them from taking in oxygen. In either case, the lungs can't supply oxygen to the body. This can be deadly.
Going without oxygen has a rapid effect on the body.
Right after a drowning, a person may:
Even a little water in the lungs can cause serious lung problems in the next hours or days. Emergency medical care is critical after a person survives a drowning.
Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if a drowning victim has:
Call a doctor now if a recent drowning victim has new breathing problems or signs of a lung infection, such as:
Current as of: November 14, 2022
Author: Healthwise StaffMedical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal MedicineAnne C. Poinier MD - Internal MedicineAdam Husney MD - Family MedicineKathleen Romito MD - Family MedicineWilliam H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency MedicineDavid Messenger MD - Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & David Messenger MD - Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
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