Spanish Man Hospitalized After Mysterious Reaction to Sparkling Water
A 42-year-old businessman from Spain is facing a medical crisis after an unexpected and severe reaction to what should have been a simple sip of sparkling water at a local restaurant. Pablo González has been unable to consume food or liquids for three weeks, leaving doctors perplexed about the cause of his condition.
Incident Details
Pablo González, a resident of Salvaterra de Miño, has been hospitalized in Vigo since April 12. He had dined with friends at a tapas restaurant, where he ordered a bottle of a renowned brand of sparkling mineral water, served with ice and a slice of lemon. Although he recalls the bottle being properly sealed, the first sip triggered an alarming sensation. Moments later, he experienced intense pain and noticed that the liquid appeared yellowish.
In a panic, he attempted to relieve the discomfort by sipping Coca-Cola from a friend and rushed to the restroom to rinse his mouth. Overwhelmed by pain, he required assistance from his friends to remain standing. After failing to ease his symptoms, an ambulance was summoned.
Medical Response and Investigation
At Povisa Hospital, doctors confirmed that González had suffered internal burns, attempting to alleviate his pain with medication. He later revealed to the local newspaper El Faro de Vigo that his esophagus and stomach had sustained severe damage, describing them as “blackened” due to the burns. Remarkably, rinsing his mouth with water after the initial sip limited the damage to his mouth.
For nearly 15 days following the incident, González could not ingest food or liquids. While his stomach has begun to heal, his esophagus remains critically injured. After a long wait, he managed to take his first sip of water on April 28, but medical professionals are uncertain about his recovery timeline.
The cause of the burns is still under investigation. Police have reviewed security footage for potential foul play, but findings have not revealed any leads. They have seized the bottle of mineral water for analysis, although it was reportedly emptied before authorities arrived. Investigators suggest that contamination of the bottle or glass with a cleaning substance could be the cause, though the restaurant owner has dismissed this theory.
