A pair of Colorado parents were able to save their son after learning about a Houston boy who died of “dry drowning.” The tragic death of a 4-year-old Houston-area boy taught a pair of Colorado parents to be alert for the symptoms of …
The tragic death of a 4-year-old Houston-area boy taught a pair of Colorado parents to be alert for the symptoms of “dry drowning.”
Channel 9 News in Denver reports Garon Vega saved his 2-year-old son Gio from the rare phenomenon after reading the story of 4-year-old Frankie Delgado .
BACKGROUND: 4-year-old dies of ‘dry drowning’ nearly a week after swimming at Texas City Dike
Francisco Delgado Jr. told news outlets that his son started vomiting and had diarrhea days after a Memorial Day weekend trip to the Texas City Dike. Frankie eventually stopped breathing and by the time his father called 911, it was too late.
In Colorado, Gio was playing in a pool Wednesday and swallowed some water. Vega told Channel 9 News that as the day went on, his son got sicker and sicker.
Gio said his head hurt and his father Googled his symptoms. That’s when he learned about Frankie’s story and took his son to the ER. Like Frankie, Gio had fluid in his lungs and was in danger of dry drowning. Doctors were able to save Gio.
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“Dry drowning” happens when a person aspirates water into his or her lungs. The larynx responds by restricting to prevent further water intake, which can lead to a buildup of fluid in the lungs, known as pulmonary edema.
That can lean to cardiac arrest and brain death, since the lungs may not be processing oxygen properly. Some may develop symptoms and die mere hours after inhaling water.
