Physical Education

Unit - 10

10.1.3.Signs and Symptoms
It is essential that you be able to quickly diagnose a snakebite as being envenomated or not. Normally enough symptoms present within an hour of a poisonous snakebite to eliminate any doubt. The casualty's condition provides the best information as to the seriousness of the situation. The bite of the pit viper is extremely painful and is characterized by immediate swelling around the fang marks, usually within 5 to 10 minutes, spreading and possibly involving the whole extremity within an hour. If only minimal swelling occurs within 30 minutes, the bite will almost certainly have been from a nonpoisonous snake, or from a poisonous snake that did not inject venom. When the venom is absorbed, there is a general discoloration of the skin, followed by blisters and numbness in the affected area. Other signs that may occur are weakness, rapid pulse, nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, shock, headache, fever, chills, and blurred vision. The eastern diamondback rattler bite is further characterized by numbness and tingling in the mouth and possibly the face and scalp. A metallic taste may be noted.