A conscious patient may complain of difficulty in breathing or present with dyspnoea, tachypnoea and evidence of desaturation.

Aspiration may also present as laryngospasm, airway obstruction or bronchospasm.

Any presentation may also be associated with cardiovascular collapse.

The consequences of aspiration are proportional to the volume and acidity of the material aspirated. Particulate material is more harmful than non-particulate material.