In a startling account, a mother has shared the troubling experience of her young daughter’s hospitalization due to “dry drowning” after a playful incident with a pool noodle. Four-year-old Mia Thompson was enjoying a day at her grandparents’ pool when a seemingly harmless game turned dangerous. Mia’s mother, Rachel Thompson, was forced to rush her daughter to the emergency room days later, as symptoms of the incident took time to manifest.
Rachel recounted the events that unfolded during the pool playdate. Mia and another child were blowing through opposite ends of a pool noodle when, quite by accident, Mia inhaled water. Although she immediately vomited and appeared to recover quickly, the days that followed told a different story. “She seemed perfectly fine the next day,” Rachel noted. “But by Monday, she had developed a fever. I thought nothing of it at first since fevers are common in kids.”
However, Mia’s condition deteriorated, and by Tuesday, she was unusually lethargic. After sending her to school on Wednesday, Rachel received a concerning call about Mia’s returning fever. Troubled by the memory of the pool incident, Rachel recalled a story about a child in Texas who tragically succumbed after inhaling pool water without showing immediate symptoms. Acting on instinct, she took Mia to urgent care, where the physician advised immediate transfer to the emergency room.
Upon arrival, doctors found Mia with a dangerously elevated heart rate, low oxygen levels, and discolored skin, indicating a possible chemical infection. “They performed a chest X-ray and identified inflammation and infection caused by pool chemicals,” Rachel explained. Mia was then transferred to a larger facility for continuous monitoring.
The diagnosis revealed aspiration pneumonia, chemical pneumonitis, and perihilar edema. Mia is currently dependent on oxygen and undergoing antibiotic treatment. “Several doctors told us, ‘Thank goodness you brought her in when you did,’” Rachel expressed, grateful for the prompt action that may have saved her daughter’s life.
Rachel urges all parents to seek medical attention if their child inhales water and shows any signs of distress, a crucial reminder as summer approaches. “I often wonder if I had taken her in sooner, would things be different?” she reflected.
Meanwhile, the Thompson family is hopeful for Mia’s recovery and is facing unexpected medical expenses. They have set up a GoFundMe to assist with costs during this challenging time. “I feel incredibly lucky I came across that article about the boy,” Rachel shared. “Without it, I might not have acted as quickly, and who knows how this would have ended.”
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In summary, Rachel Thompson’s poignant warning about the risks associated with pool play is a critical reminder for all parents to stay vigilant. The potential dangers of dry drowning, which can occur without immediate symptoms, should never be underestimated.