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Snake Bite

Snake Bite :

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Snakebite is an acute life threatening time limiting medical emergency. It is a preventable public health hazard often faced by rural population in tropical and subtropical countries with heavy rainfall and humid climate. India has seen an estimated 1.2 million (12 lakh) snakebite deaths from 2000 to 2019, an average of 58,000 per year. Of concern is the inappropriate perception, inadequate awareness, and knowledge about snakes and snakebites that may predispose the population to increased risks of venomous snakebites. Farmers, labourers, hunters, shepherds, snake rescuers, tribal and migrant populations, and those with limited access to education and healthcare are high-risk groups for snakebites.

Lack of first aid amongst the community, as well as peripheral healthcare workers, delay in receiving lifesaving treatment, and non-availability of trained medical officers for management of snakebite contribute to a higher number of deaths.

 

WHICH SNAKES ARE VENOMOUS?

There are more than 2000 species of snakes in the world and about 300 species are found in India out of which 52 are venomous. The venomous snakes found in India belong to three families Elapidae, Viperidae and hydrophidae (Sea Snakes). The most common Indian elapids are Naja naja (Indian Cobra) and Bungarus caeruleus (Indian Krait), Daboia russalie (Russells’ Viper) and Echis carinatus (Saw scaled viper). Clinical effects of envenoming by same species of snake are almost similar except a few regional variations. Kraits are active during night hours, often biting a person sleeping on floor bed. Maximum Viper and Cobra bites occur during the day or early darkness, while watering the plantation or walking bare foot in grown grass or soybean crops.

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF SNAKE BITE AND ENVENOMATION

  • Bite marks on your skin. These can be puncture wounds or smaller, less recognizable marks.
  •  Sharp, throbbing, burning pain around the bite that you may not feel for a little while after the bite.
  •  Redness, swelling and rapid early extension of local swelling from the site of the bite.
  •  Early tender enlargement of local lymph nodes, indicating spread of venom in the lymphatic system.
  •  Early systemic symptoms - difficulty in breathing, difficulty in opening eyelids or holding neck, severe weakness/lethargy, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, headaches, dizziness and blurred vision.
  • Early spontaneous systemic bleeding (especially bleeding from the gums).
  • Passage of dark brown urine.
  • Low blood pressure, a faster heart rate and a weaker pulse.
  • Increased production of saliva and sweat.

FIRST AID MEASURES

A snake bite can cause people to panic and act irrationally. Even so, there are certain things you should avoid doing immediately following a snake bite, including:

  • Don’t pick up the snake or try to wrap it up or kill it, as this will increase your chance of getting bitten again. Even dead snakes can bite.
  • Don’t move much and immobilise the bitten area/limb.
  • Don’t apply a tourniquet. Remove shoes, rings, watches, jewelry and tight clothing from the bitten area.
  • Don’t cut into the wound at all.
  • Don’t try to suck out the venom.
  • Don’t apply ice or use water to submerge the wound.
  • Don’t drink alcohol.
  • Don’t drink beverages with caffeine.
  • Don’t take any pain-relieving medication.

SPECIFIC THERAPY

Anti–snake venom (ASV) are immunoglobulins prepared by immunizing horses with the venom of poisonous snakes and subsequently extracting and purifying the horses’ serum. They are the only effective antidote for snake venom.

IMPORTANCE OF SEEKING IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY CARE

Neurotoxic symptoms

Antivenom treatment alone cannot be relied upon to save the life of a patient with bulbar and respiratory paralysis. The most important cause of immediate death in snake bite victims is respiratory failure and the lack of expertise in managing these patients at peripheral or primary health centres. Once there is loss of the gag reflex, failure to cough, or respiratory distress, endotracheal intubation and initiation of mechanical ventilation must be done immediately. These are critical life saving interventions that will be quickly performed by the Emergency Care Center (ECC) team.

Coagulopathy with bleeding

Coagulopathy usually reverses after ASV treatment. In exceptional cases, when there is severe bleeding or when urgent surgery is necessary, restoration of coagulability can be accelerated by giving fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate (fibrinogen, factor VIII), fresh whole blood, or platelet concentrates.

After stabilising a patient with envenomation at the ECC, they will be safely transferred to a tertiary hospital with intensive care unit (ICU). The ICU will be required for patients with signs of severe envenomation (coma, respiratory paralysis, hypotension, pulmonary edema, and history of syncope). Patients with presence of fang marks, moderate pain, minimal local edema, erythema, ecchymosis, and no systemic reactions can be treated in the ward under close monitoring.

PREVENTION

Be aware of your surroundings. If you encounter a snake, back away slowly, let it slip away or walk carefully around it. No matter what type of snake it is, do not provoke it or attempt to handle, trap or kill it.

Other snake-bite preventive measures:

• Avoid tall grass and fallen leaves.
• Avoid climbing on rocks or piles of wood.
• Be aware that snakes tend to be active at night and in warm weather.
• Wear boots and long pants when working outdoors.
• Wear leather gloves when handling brush and debris.
• Make noise; snakes will avoid people if given enough warning.