Question

SNAKE BITES

Snakes are one of the reptiles that always causes fear for humans and even for other living creatures as a result of the threat they can cause to life.

Now please explain the following:

A. Mention in details the most important poisonous types of snakes live in Palestine in terms of how they hurt.

B. Explain the main types of snake poisoning (in addition of signs and symptoms of every type)

C. Explain the first aid steps of snake bites poisoning in different types of poisoning

Answer 1

A. It has been estimated that 100 to 150 people per year receives venomous bites in Palestine in that about 2 or 3 people will die. Specific antivenins are available against only anti-vipera palaestinae species.

The venomous snakes found in Palestine include,

# Palestine saw scaled viper(Echis coluratus)

# Palestine viper( vipera palaestinae)

# Desert black cobra (walterinnesia aegytia)

# palastine mole viper ( Atractaspis engaddensis)

Anti-Vipera Palestine species are Echis coloratus, Walterinnesia aegyptia, and Atractaspis engaddensis.

B. Main types of snake poisoning

Snake venom hs different types that affect different organs of our body when a person is bitten. The most unique poisoning venoms are,

# cytotic venom( cobras)

Which cause the symptoms like blue black spots on the bitten site due to limited circulation. (example - venom of puff adder ( bitis arietans)

# mytotic venom

Signs and symptoms includes ,severe pain and tenderness at the bitten site, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, labored breating.

# hemotoxic ( rattle snakes, copper heads, cotton mouths)

Signs and symptoms include, headache, nausea, disorientation, severe pain at the bitten site followed by swelling, cellulitis, and haemorrhage

# Neurotoxic venom( cobras)  

Paralysis and respiratory distress. It prevent the transmission of nerve impulses in cholinergic synapses.it interfere the neurotransmitter release  and cause muscle paralysis, respiratory failure.

C. First aid of snake bite poisoning

• Note the time of the bite.
• Keep calm and still as movement can cause the venom to travel more quickly through the body.
• Remove constricting clothing or jewelry because the area surrounding the bite will likely swell.
• Apply pressure bandage over the bitten site.
• Don’t allow the victim to walk. Carry or transport them by vehicle.
• Do not kill or handle the snake. Take a picture if you can but don’t waste time hunting it down.