Do you know, Russell's viper snakes immediately attack and bite a human upon seeing them?
If your answer
is yes, then sorry, you know the wrong thing. Generally, if you don't disturb
or attack any snake, it won't attack you either. As a general rule, snakes will
not attack humans unless they feel threatened or provoked.
Most of the snake are non-venomous.
Only 15% snakes are venomous and they inject venom when bite. While some snakes
inject venom with every bite, others can deliver 'dry bites' where no venom is
transferred.
Many species of snakes carry certain types of venom that affect our body in different ways, including:
1. Haemo-toxic venoms are one which affects cardiovascular System.
2. Cytotoxic venoms target specific cellular sites.
3. Neuro-toxic venoms harm nervous system of human body.
4. Mycotoxins break down our muscles.
Although Russell's viper is considered as haemotoxic it might also have some neurotoxic features. But do you know what you should and shouldn't do as first aid if you are bitten by a Russell's viper or any other snake?
Let’s see
what not to do:
Ø Going to a traditional healer after a
snakebite is extremely dangerous and waste of precious time. You must seek
medical attention at a hospital immediately.
Ø Do not apply a tourniquet (a strap to stop
blood flow). This can restrict blood flow and cause tissue death.
Ø Don’t go after the snake, try to pick it
up or trap it. Rather than you can focus on memorizing the snake's appearance,
such as its color and size. These details can be crucial for your medical
treatment.
Ø Don’t apply ice on the snake bite as the
ice may block blood circulation.
Ø Don’t cut the wound with a knife or razor.
Making an incision may damage internal body structures.
Ø Don’t suck the blood out with your mouth
(germs in the mouth may cause infection in the bite wound) and you may be also
exposing yourself to the venom.
Ø Don’t drink alcohol, caffeine or take any
medication like pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen etc.
What to do:
✓ You should treat every snake bite as a
medical emergency since some snakes are venomous and their bite can be
life-threatening. So, it’s your first priority to seek medical help or call an
ambulance. Antivenom is the treatment for serious snake envenomation. The
sooner antivenom can be given, the sooner irreversible damage from venom can be
stopped.
✓ Stay calm and inform people who are nearby
for help.
✓ Moving the bitten limb can accelerate the
spread of venom. Using a splint will help to keep the limb immobile and slow
down the venom's progression.
✓ Wash the bite with soap and water.
✓ Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.
✓ Remove any jewelry or tight-fitting
clothing in case of swelling.
✓ Keep affected area below heart level if possible to keep venom from spreading.
The polyvalent antivenom available in Bangladesh is imported from India and is used to neutralize the venom of four species of venomous snakes, namely Cobra (Naja naja), Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell's Viper (Vipera russelli) and Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus). However, if antivenom could be produced from the venom of the venomous snakes found in Bangladesh, it would be much more effective. To achieve this goal, research on antivenom production has been ongoing at the Venom Research Center of Chittagong Medical College since 2018.
This article is taken from the Galen Gazette, August 2024, Issue No. 04. The author, Dipu Chakraborty, is an eight-semester pharmacy student at Comilla University.
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