Taking care of your health is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Baylor College of Medicine experts have plenty of tips to help you stay healthy. This month’s Health Hint addresses a dangerous phenomenon, especially in children, known as dry drowning.

Dry drowning – also referred to as second drowning – means that the child did not drown but did inhale a significant amount of water into their lungs. Immediately, the child might seem OK but after several hours may develop respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, you can’t predict which children will develop respiratory problems. If your child has a near drowning, you do want to seek emergency care even if child seems fine initially.”

Dr. Frene Lacour-Chestnut, assistant professor of internal medicine-pediatrics