sn a k e b i t e

SNAKE BITE
an injury that happens when a person is bitten by a snake.
It is one of the emerging occupational disease of
agricultural workers.

Snake bite is the most neglected public health issue in

many tropical and subtropical countries in which about
5.4 million snake bites occur each year, resulting in 1.8 to
2.7 million cases of envenomings.
 Types of Snakes
it is divided into two:

Non-venomous snakes:
does not produce venom

Venomous snakes:
Produces venom in which it is a poisonous substance secreted by
animals and typically injected into prey or aggressors by biting or
stinging.
CAUSE:
• CORNERED
• PROVOKED
• THREATENED
• STARTLED
dry bites
These occur. when snake doesn't release
any venom with its bite. These are mostly
seen with non-venomous snakes

venomous bites
These are more dangerous. They mostly occur
when a snake transmits venom during a bite.
Venomous
Dry bites
bites
two major group of venomous snakes

VIPERS:
Scientific name Viperidae are a large family of snakes which includes it pit
vipers (like rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads. Vipers are known
for their extreme fangs, which are long, hollow, hinged and rotatable. These
fangs connect to venom glands located behind the eyes at the back upper
part of the jaw. Venom travels down through the follow teeth to be injected
into prey as the viper bites.
 two major group of venomous snakes

COBRAS:
Cobras are Elapids, a type of poisonous snake with hollow fangs fixed to
the top jaw at the front of the mouth. These snakes cannot hold their fangs
down on prey so they inject venom through their fangs.

Spitting cobras, have cytotoxic venom that attacks body tissue and causes
severe pain, swelling and possible necrosis.
sign s a n d s y m p t o m s
• Puncture marks at the wound.
• Swelling, redness, bruising, or blistering around the
bite
• Labored breathing and extreme cases breathing
may stop altogether.
• Increased salivation and sweating
• Muscle twitching
• Rapid heart rate, weak pulse, and low blood
pressure
• Altered mental state
 MEDICAL
MANAGEMENT
FIRST AID
• The site of the bite should be wiped but not
incised because incision can irritate
bleeding, especially in bites causing non-
clotting blood which causes damage nerves
and tendons, delay healing, and introduce
infections.
FIRST AID
• If hospital or any help is 30 min away, a crepe
bandage , should be applied firmly. The bandage
should not be released during transit. During
transit the body generally and the bitten limb in
particular should be moved as little as possible,
to minimize the spread of venom.
DO'S
• Wash the bite with soap and water.
• Cover the area with a clean, cool compress or a moist dressing to
ease swelling and discomfort.
• Monitor breathing and heart rate.
• Immobilize the extremity and keep it below the level of the heart.
• Note the time of the bite so that it can be reported to an emergency
room healthcare provider if needed.
• It is helpful to remember what the snake looks like, its size, and the
type of snake if you know it, in order to tell the emergency room
staff.
 NURSING
MANAGEMENT
• Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
• Establish patent airway
• Gather information about the snake
• Examine thoroughly the bite area. The circumference and
characteristics of the extremity should be measured and marked every
15 to 30 minutes to evaluate edema progression.
• Monitor and kept under observation for 24 hours.
• Tell the doctor of any systemic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
confusion, spontaneous bleeding, fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing,
and shock.)
t ha nk
y ou!