2. INTRODUCTION
Snake bite is one of the major public health problems in the tropics.
Occupational disease of agricultural workers
In rural areas of tropical and subtropical countries situated in Africa, Asia,
and Latin America.
Cold Blooded:
No efficient thermoregulatory mechanism.(no sweat glands)
- Venom has digestive enzymes which starts working even before the prey is
swallowed.
16. SPECIES: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Signs/Symptoms and Potential
Treatments
Cobra Krait
Russell’s
Viper Saw Scaled
Viper
Other Vipers
Local pain/ Tissue Damage Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Ptosis/Neurotoxicity Yes Yes Yes! NO No
Coagulation No No Yes Yes Yes
Renal Problems No No Yes NO Yes
Neostigmine & Atropine
Yes No? No? NO No
17. INVESTIGATIONS
Twenty-minute whole blood clotting test (20WBCT)
Hb/platelet count/peripheral smear prothrombin time
Urine examination
Biochemistry for serum creatinine/Urea/Potassium
Imaging
(ABG)
(ELISA) to confirm snakespecies.
22. WHAT IS ASV?
• Antivenom is immunoglobulin purified from the serum or
plasma of a horse or sheep that has been immunised with
the venoms of one or more species of snake.
• Potency; 1 ml ASV neutralizes:
0.6mg Cobra, 0.45mg Krait,
0.6mg Rusell’s V, 0.45mg Saw scaled Viper.
-Lethal Dose:
Cobra-0.12gm, Krait0.06gm- Russell’s V-0.15gm
24. FOLLOW-UP
• After discharge from hospital, victim should be followed.
• If discharged within 24 hours, patient should be advised to return if there is any
worsening of symptoms such as bleeding, pain or swelling at the site of bite, difficulty in
breathing, altered sensorium, etc.
• The patients should also be explained about serum sickness which may manifest after 5–
10 days