Q: Which doctor should I consult for snake envenomation?
A: You should immediately go to the Emergency Room (ER) of the nearest hospital or health center and consult the ER physician.
Q: Which species of snakes are venomous?
A: Major venomous snakes in India that cause the highest mortality and morbidity include cobra, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper and common krait.
Q: What are the major signs and symptoms of envenoming?
A: Your symptoms will coincide with the type of venom. Cobras and kraits have neurotoxic venom that will attack the nervous system, while vipers have hemotoxic venom that will attack the blood. The former will produce drooping of eyelids, slurred speech, weakness of the respiratory muscles and an intense desire to sleep. The latter will produce bleeding gums and nose, blood with vomit, as well as blood in urine and stool.
Q: What is the outcome of antivenom therapy?
A: Outcome or prognosis depends on how quickly you reach a health facility that has snake antivenom and how quickly the treatment is started. The quicker the treatment, the better the outcome.
Q: How serious are antivenom reactions?
A: Administration of antivenom may generate an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. These are generally mild. However, in rare cases, severe reactions like anaphylaxis can occur, which is a medical emergency.
