What is a symptom of strangulation that may not appear for hours or days?

Redness of the neck is a symptom that can manifest shortly after strangulation but may also take several hours or even days to appear distinctly. In cases of strangulation, this redness can develop due to underlying tissue trauma or bruising that results from pressure being applied to the neck.

While loss of consciousness can occur almost immediately during strangulation due to a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain, it does not typically delay in presentation. Severe swelling may also develop but usually indicates a more immediate physiological reaction to the trauma and may not have a delayed onset. Double vision, like loss of consciousness, is a more acute response that typically occurs as a result of nerve involvement or brain injury directly at the time of strangulation.

The gradual onset of symptoms, particularly regarding external signs like redness, illustrates the body's complex response to trauma and aids medical professionals in assessment and diagnosis several hours post-incident.