Bites of Venomous Snakes

At least 2000 persons are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of bites from venomous snakes encountered in North America, but the same principles apply to management of snakebites elsewhere in the world. The review summarizes the complications of envenomation and explains the current recommendations for the use of antivenoms. It explains how to distinguish venomous from nonvenomous snakes. Approximately 15 percent of the 3000 species of snakes found worldwide are considered to be dangerous to humans (Table 1). 1 The last comprehensive survey of snake-venom poisoning, completed in the late 1950s, documented an average of 45,000 snakebites annually in the United States, 8000 of them by venomous snakes. 2 During the past three years, the American Association of Poison Control Centers has reported an annual average of 6000 snakebites in the United States, 2000 of them by venomous snakes. 3 – 5 Since reporting is not mandatory, many snakebites go unreported. Some victims do not seek treatment, and some treating physicians do . . .