On June 20, two patients, a 23-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl, were rushed to Bac Giang General Hospital with sudden and sharp pain in their feet while sleeping. They also experienced difficulty breathing, weak limbs, and were later determined to have been bitten by a poisonous snake. The garter snake was identified as the culprit of their condition.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Hieu, the Deputy Head of the Department of Intensive Care – Poison Control, stated that both patients had severe conditions with muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, quadriplegia, dilated pupils and required mechanical ventilation and hemodialysis to eliminate toxins from their bodies. After three dialysis sessions, the patients showed improvement in their muscle paralysis. With the use of various resuscitation methods and anti-snake venom serum treatment, the patients gradually improved and were eventually discharged from the hospital in stable condition.
The importance of seeking emergency medical treatment promptly after being bitten by a snake such as a garter snake cannot be overemphasized. The venom of these snakes can cause neurotoxicity resulting in symptoms like drooping eyelids, slurred speech, and difficulty breathing. It is crucial to remain calm after being bitten by a snake; clean the bite wound thoroughly; immobilize the affected limb; seek immediate medical attention to receive appropriate treatment such as anti-snake venom serum treatment or antidotes.
It is also advised not to attempt cutting the skin or squeezing the bite or applying leaves to it as it may lead to further complications like infection or tissue damage. Tying a tourniquet above the bite wound should also be avoided as it can prevent proper blood flow to other parts of the body leading to necrosis or tissue death. Providing doctors with information on the characteristics of snakes found in your area can aid in determining appropriate anti-snake venom serum treatment.
In conclusion, being bitten by a poisonous snake can be life-threatening if not treated promptly with appropriate medical care such as anti-snake venom serum treatment or antidotes. It is essential for individuals living in areas where snakes are prevalent to take precautions such as keeping their homes free from clutter that could attract snakes; wearing long pants when hiking through grassy areas; avoiding handling wild animals without proper protective gear; educating themselves on how to identify potentially dangerous snakes; and seeking emergency medical attention promptly after being bitten by one.
In summary: Two individuals who lived under one roof experienced sudden sharp pain in their feet while sleeping due to bites from a poisonous garter snake. Their symptoms included difficulty breathing and weak limbs which led them to be admitted into Bac Giang General Hospital with respiratory distress drooping eyelids and weak limbs on June 20th. Doctor Nguyen Thi Hieu stated that they experienced muscle paralysis respiratory failure quadriplegia dilated pupils requiring mechanical ventilation hemodialysis elimination of toxicants from their bodies after three dialysis sessions they showed improvement in muscle paralysis but emphasized that seeking emergency medical attention promptly after being bitten by a snake like garter snake is crucial since its venom can cause neurotoxicity resulting in drooping eyelids slurred speech difficulty breathing it’s important for individuals living in areas where snakes are prevalent
