Snake Bites

Question 1

How many snake bite deaths occur each year and what is the WHO goal?

Answer 1

100,000 deaths a year

Goal is to half deaths and disability by snake bites by half by 2030

Question 2

What are the types of snake and what toxins do they release?

Answer 2

Vipers - haemolytic

Elapids- neurotoxic

Question 3

What is snake bite first aid?

Answer 3

Remove rings, watches and tight clothes
Calm patient
Don't suck out venom or catch snake
Compression bandage (to stop lymphatic) distal then toward heart
Immobilise joint

Question 4

How d too treat a snake bite in hospital?

Answer 4

Clean wound
Tetanus
Mark swelling and measure circumference every 30mins
If asymptomatic viper- observe for 12hrs
If asymptomatic elapid- observe for 24hrs
Bloods for clotting time
Antivenom, reassess every 2hrs if they need more

Question 5

How much antivenin do you give for snake bites?

Answer 5

Some Sx, non systemic, normal labs- 5vial
Mild systemic Sx, coagulopathy, AKI- 10vial
Sev systemic Sx, shock, low Plts- 15+vials

Question 6

What are the side effects of anti venom?

Answer 6

Anaphylaxis

Serum sickness 1 to 3 weeks later -give pred