Vietnam: Venomous snake enters house and bites woman critically

On September 21, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Do, Department of Intensive Care and Anti-Poison, Lang Son General Hospital, said that the patient in Cao Loc district immediately had his wound cleaned and was treated according to the protocol for viper bites. The patient’s health is now stable.

Green vipers have a lot of venom, which can cause hemolysis, edema, neurotoxicity, and respiratory paralysis. Doctors say that during the rainy season, rising water levels destroy the natural habitat of snakes, forcing them to seek out areas closer to humans such as gardens, houses, or flooded lands. In addition, heavy rains can also create a humid environment, ideal for the development of insects – the snake’s favorite food source. Therefore, the risk of humans being bitten by snakes, especially venomous snakes, is increasing during the rainy season.

As a precaution, doctors recommend that people keep the area around their homes clean and tidy. Be careful when moving through areas where snakes are likely to appear, such as gardens, fields, or uninspected areas, and use flashlights at night. When working outdoors or in high-risk areas, wear protective clothing such as rubber boots and long pants to reduce the chance of being bitten.

When bitten by a snake, remove personal belongings from the affected area to avoid the risk of compression; apply immobilizing bandages to slow the onset of symptoms. The patient should lie still, immobilize the legs and arms with splints, because movement causes the venom to enter the body faster. The victim should then be transferred to the nearest medical facility.