What does the term "secondary drowning" refer to?

The term "secondary drowning" refers to a condition where water that has entered the lungs leads to delayed respiratory failure. This can occur after a person has been submerged in water but may still appear fine right after being rescued. The symptoms of secondary drowning can develop over hours or even days following the incident, as fluid in the lungs causes inflammation and impairs breathing.

In contrast, immediate respiratory failure after drowning is a different phenomenon that happens contemporaneously with the drowning event. The focus is on the acute response rather than the delayed consequences seen in secondary drowning.

The idea that secondary drowning occurs only during a rescue does not capture the broader context, as the condition can manifest hours later, regardless of the circumstances of the rescue. Finally, while psychological effects can be significant after a drowning incident, they are not classified under the medical term of secondary drowning and do not involve the physical implications regarding water in the lungs.