PNEUMONIA ASSOCIATED WITH NEAR-DROWNING

Drowning and near-drowning can abruptly devastate the lives of both th e affected victims and their families. Ln addition to the complication s directly caused by the submersion, several indirect causes of morbid ity exist. Infection is one of the complications associated with near- drowning, and pneumonia is the most severe of these infectious complic ations, The risk factors, microbiological causes, diagnostic approach, and appropriate therapy for pneumonia associated with near-drowning a re not well described in the literature, Herein, we review the epidemi ology and pathophysiology associated with near-drowning, discuss the p otential mechanisms of infection, and describe the likely risk factors for pneumonia related to near-drowning. We also detail the microbiolo gical causes of this entity and provide important clinical and epidemi ological information associated with specific pathogens, Finally, we s ummarize all appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach to pneumo nia associated with near-drowning.