Treatment and Management of Snake bite victims at Tertiary Care Hospitals in India

Abstract

Snakebite incidences and mortality rates are higher in tropical and subtropical regions of India. The management of snakebites gets complicated and critical due to a lack of sufficient knowledge concerning clinical management caused due to unidentified snakes. The appropriate antisnake venom therapy (ASV) and supportive therapies will help in reducing the mortality rate. The present article reviews the management of snakebites as per WHO Southeast Asia region guidelines and standard treatment guidelines by the ministry of health and family welfare, the government of India. It included with step by step management of snakebite, antivenom therapy, details of antivenom including its composition, method of preparation, dose, adverse reactions and prophylactic treatment for adverse reactions, desensitization procedure, different supportive therapies for neurotoxic and vasculotoxic bites and preventive measures. Some people may show hypersensitivity towards ASV hence, it is necessary to check before administration of the full dose by conducting sensitivity testing. The core management of venomous snakebites is the administration of antivenom therapy with supportive measures.