what would the cause be?

Recently a good friend of mine died suddenly. He was 46 years old and in good health. He was not taking any medications except for asprin. A couple of days before his death he had flu-like symptoms that would not go away. He would not go to the doctor until yesterday when the hospital called and told us that he had driven himself to the urgent care unit complaining that he could not breath. His heart stopped soon after and they could not revive him. The doctor said that his lungs were filled with blood and that they would do an autopsy to determine the cause of death. I was wondering if you had any ideas as to what the cause might have been. I would appreciate any ideas. Thank you very much.

Noelia

[National Jewish]

The cause of sudden death in an otherwise healthy individual is very difficult to determine without an autopsy.  Pulmonary emboli would be the most likely cause.  However there are a number of rare, inflammatory alveolar hemorrhagic diseases that effect the blood vessels.  These diseases can cause the lungs to fill with blood.  They are unlikely to present in such a rapidly progressive fashion resulting in death.  Viral infections are possible, but it would also be rare for them to present in this way.  An autopsy would need to include culturing of the tissues to find the specific virus.

[MIKE13]

I really don't have any training, but do know that if you mix household bleach with cleaning ammonia, it will cause a toxic gas.  When I was in the Army studying chemical agents I was told this was very similar to a choking agent, that causes the lungs to fill with blood and cause dryland drowning.