Thai soccer team is out of the cave, but their road to recovery is just beginning
Experts say the young athletes will likely regain their physical health relatively soon, but emotional recovery could be a bigger challenge
For the countless people around the world captivated by the rescue of a young Thai soccer team from a flooded cave, attention will likely shift to the next riveting news story.
But for the 12 boys and their coach, their ordeal is far from over – and the recovery process is only beginning.
All of the boys, the last of whom were pulled out by an international team of divers on Tuesday after being trapped since June 23, have been quarantined while they are tested for infections.
At least two were diagnosed with lung infections while another had an irregular heartbeat. Though several of the players were in “high spirits” as they were rescued, they will likely remain in hospital for several days, officials say.
They likely will continue to struggle emotionally for a period of time
“They were in a very stressful situation and their immune systems were stressed,” said Liz Wineandy, a registered dietitian at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Centre.