Citation

Warrell DA. Infect. Dis. Clin. North Am. 2019; 33(1): 17-38.

Affiliation

Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK. Electronic address: david.warrell@ndm.ox.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.idc.2018.10.001

PMID

30712761

Abstract

This article discusses the epidemiology, prevention, clinical features, and treatment of venomous bites by snakes, lizards, and spiders; stings by fish, jellyfish, echinoderms, insects, and scorpions; and poisoning by ingestion of fish, turtles, and shellfish. Invertebrate stings cause fatalities by anaphylaxis, secondary to acquired hypersensitivity (Hymenoptera, such as bees, wasps, and ants; and jellyfish), and by direct envenoming (scorpions, spiders, jellyfish, and echinoderms). Simple preventive techniques, such as wearing protective clothing, using a flashlight at night, and excluding venomous animals from sleeping quarters, are of paramount importance to reduce the risk of venomous bites and stings.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Antivenom; Fish sting; Jellyfish sting; Lizard bite; Scorpion sting; Seafood poisoning; Snake bite; Spider bite