Citation

Dutta TK, Mukta V. J. Indian Med. Assoc. 2006; 104(5): 250, 252-4.

Affiliation

Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Indian Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17058570

Abstract

The five families of poisonous snakes are: Viperidae, elapidae, colubridae, hydrophidae, atractaspididae. The commonly seen snakes in India are saw scaled viper, Russell's viper, common cobri and common crait. The venom of a single snake contains all the toxins. The venom of viperidae is haemotoxic. It may complicate with acute renal failure if left untreated. The venom of elapidae is neurotoxic. Management consists in two parts-general and specific. Supportive treatment is done with the use of antibiotics and tetanus immunoglobulin/toxoid. Specific therapy for viper bite is elaborated in this article. Elapid bite and hydrophidae bites are also discussed. Prevention of snakebite is done with avoidance of contact with a snake by using protective knee length footwear and thick gloves. Venom toxoids are used for secondary prevention among the farmers of Japan.

Language: en