49-year-old suffers shock after poisonous bite. Race against time for life

As reported by GS24.pl, a 49-year-old resident of Rościn (West Pomeranian Voivodeship) was bitten by a viper. As a result, he suffered a life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

A team of paramedics and an Air Ambulance helicopter were immediately dispatched. The man was transported by helicopter to the nearest hospital, where he was provided with specialist medical assistance. Fortunately, thanks to the rapid intervention of the emergency services, the patient's life was saved - reports GS24.pl.

It is worth adding that in Poland, vipers occur throughout the country and choose habitats with a cool microclimate. They are often found on the edges of forests, wet meadows, forest clearings or mountain pastures.

The website Pacjent.gov.pl explains that the viper hibernates, so bites only occur in the warm months. The most dangerous bites are in the spring, when the snake wakes up from sleep. The viper is active only during the day, but it never attacks first, and usually runs away from people. It bites only as a last resort, when someone tries to grab it or causes it pain.

Most cases of bites from venomous snakes occur when trying to capture, kill or release them.

The effects of a bite depend on the site of the injury, the amount of venom injected, and the health of the injured person. The amount of venom injected depends on:

• depth of tooth penetration and skin cut;
• degree of filling of the venom glands;
• size of a reptile;
• level of his irritation.

The site of the viper bite will have characteristic wounds: two traces of poisonous teeth. If the snake has injected venom, then additionally there may be:

• redness and bruising,
• increasing swelling,
• dizziness and headaches,
• nausea and vomiting,
• heart rate acceleration,
• drop in blood pressure,
• petechiae and serous blisters,
• bluish discoloration along the bitten limb,
• excessive sweating and thirst.

In children, however, the symptoms are more severe and often result in loss of consciousness.

The website also emphasizes that if no swelling or redness appears in the area of ​​the bite within about 10 minutes of contact with the viper, it can be suspected that no venom was injected.

In the event of a bite, the injured person and the person providing assistance should remain calm, and when providing first aid:

• the wound should be washed (preferably with soap) to remove the venom and bacteria from the skin;
• You can put a cold compress on the wound to reduce swelling;
• immobilize the bitten limb and move slowly to help the venom spread more slowly throughout the body.

After a viper bite, a visit to the hospital or an ambulance is recommended. It may turn out that it will be necessary to administer serum and an injection to protect against tetanus.

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