This is what happens to the body if a venomous snake bites you
For many living in or near rural or forested parts of India, the risk of a venomous snake bite is more than a what-if—it's a very real and sometimes fatal emergency. Every year, India reports tens of thousands of snakebite deaths, many of which are preventable with the proper awareness and timely medical action.
To understand precisely what happens to your body during a venomous snake bite—and more importantly, what to do about it—we spoke to Dr Khushboo Kataria, Consultant, Critical Care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai.
'The effects vary significantly depending on the type of snake and the nature of its venom,' explains Dr Kataria. Neurotoxic venom—found in snakes like cobras and kraits—primarily affects the nervous system.
'It starts with muscle weakness, followed by paralysis,' says Dr Kataria. 'People may experience difficulty breathing, weakness in the limbs, unsteady walking, and visual issues like double or blurred vision.' This type of venom disrupts the transmission of signals between nerves and muscles, often making it hard for the victim even to keep their eyes open.
Hemotoxic venom, found in snakes such as the Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper, attacks the blood and blood-clotting mechanisms.
'This can cause internal and external bleeding, tissue and kidney damage, low blood pressure, and an increased heart rate,' Dr Kataria explains. In some cases, this can lead to fatal haemorrhage or multi-organ failure.
Myotoxic venom, commonly found in sea snakes, directly attacks muscle tissue. 'This leads to severe muscle breakdown and can also result in kidney damage,' adds Dr Kataria.
While not every venomous bite leads to death, fatalities can and do occur—particularly in cases of delayed or inadequate treatment.
'We do have anti-snake venom available in India,' says Dr Kataria. 'But timing is critical. The sooner it's administered, the more effective it is.'
Fatalities tend to increase due to:
'Precaution is key,' she adds. 'Prompt medical intervention can be life-saving.'
Dr Kataria is clear: what you don't do after a bite is just as important as what you do.
Here's her first aid checklist:
According to Dr Kataria, you should avoid these dangerous practices:
'Get the person to the nearest medical facility immediately,' emphasises Dr Kataria. 'Even if symptoms seem mild at first, the effects of venom can escalate rapidly.'
Misinformation and delayed care often lead to tragedy. 'Education and preparedness,' says Dr Kataria, 'are our best defences.'
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
03-06-2025
- India Today
Cold or Covid? Doctors answer when is the right time to get tested
As of June 3, India has reported 4,026 active Covid-19 cases, according to the Health Ministry. While most cases are presenting mild symptoms, health experts have cautioned amid a rise in infections driven by newer and more transmissible current uptick in cases is largely attributed to NB.1.8.1, a sub-lineage of the Omicron-descended JN.1 variant, along with the LF.7 variants are noted for their high transmissibility, though they continue to cause mostly mild illness, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Fatalities recorded in states such as Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have all involved individuals with underlying health DO YOU NEED A COVID TEST?NB.1.8.1, which has caused spikes in hospitalisations in China and has been detected in the US, presents with symptoms resembling seasonal include fever, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, runny nose, headache, and loss of appetite. Unlike earlier Covid waves, loss of taste and smell aren't being Sushila Kataria, internal medicine and public health expert at Medanta, said that most patients are experiencing mild to high-grade fever, throat pain, nasal congestion, sputum, and marked fatigue. New variants are noted for their high transmissibility, though they continue to cause mostly mild illness, ICMR. () advertisementWith Covid and flu cases both rising, distinguishing between the two has become challenging. Doctors have stressed that testing remains an important tool, especially for certain groups."If someone is experiencing cough, cold, or fever, they should test for Covid-19. Hospitalised patients with pneumonia must also be tested," Dr. Kataria told explained that while home antigen tests are convenient, their accuracy can vary. "A positive test confirms Covid, but a negative one doesn't rule it out. In such cases, respiratory precautions and self-isolation should continue until symptoms subside," said Dr. more people are testing at home rather than visiting hospitals. "A lot of the home antigen tests we're seeing are coming back positive," she Vikas Maurya, pulmonologist at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, observed that many individuals in the outpatient department (OPD) are reporting persistent cough and fever lasting more than two days, alongside bronchitis-like breathlessness. More people are testing at home rather than visiting hospitals. () "Hospitalisations are happening, but most patients recover and are discharged within a week," he he expressed concern over testing hesitancy. "Even when I prescribe RT-PCR tests, only about three out of five patients follow through," he told Maurya added that the typical symptom duration for current cases is around 3–4 days. "We've had one patient on a ventilator who is now improving. But overall, severe cases remain mild," he doctors urged that if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms, particularly fever, cough, or sore throat, one can get tested for Covid-19, especially if you are elderly, have pre-existing conditions, or are in close contact with vulnerable the current variants are not causing widespread severe illness, their high transmissibility makes early detection and isolation crucial in preventing further InMust Watch
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Covid-19 preparedness heightened in Meerut as CMO issues directives
Following a rise in Covid-19 cases in Ghaziabad and Noida, the health authorities in Meerut issued a high alert on Monday, directing all medical facilities to remain fully prepared. Chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Ashok Kataria has instructed hospitals, diagnostic labs, and private practitioners to stay on standby in anticipation of a possible outbreak in the region. While no Covid cases have been reported in Meerut so far, Dr Kataria emphasised that precautionary measures are being taken seriously in view of the recent surge across the state and country. 'While Meerut has not reported any cases yet, we are strictly adhering to the latest Covid guidelines. All previous arrangements are in place and are being further reinforced,' he stated. Dr Kataria informed that district's oxygen infrastructure is fully prepared for any potential surge. Meerut currently has 17 fully operational oxygen plants, approximately 2,000 oxygen concentrators, and a similar number of oxygen cylinders in reserve. 'These resources are being maintained to ensure timely treatment in accordance with protocol if cases start to rise,' he added. The hospitals have also been advised to scale up testing efforts and ensure all facilities are equipped to handle Covid diagnosis and treatment. The CMO highlighted that the symptoms of the new Covid variant—primarily cough, cold, and fever—are similar to those of earlier strains, and urged the public to take them seriously. 'Anyone experiencing these symptoms should wear a mask and avoid close contact with others. Similarly, those coming into contact with symptomatic individuals should also wear masks,' Dr Kataria advised. Initiative to tackle heatwave risks The administration has launched an initiative to address the intensifying heatwave. The health department has set 40°C as the threshold temperature for heatstroke risks. To combat this, ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) corners have been set up in hospitals and government offices, and cold rooms have been arranged in district hospitals and medical colleges. Additionally, stocks of paracetamol tablets are being maintained in readiness. Authorities have urged the public to cooperate by adhering to guidelines and staying vigilant.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Indian Express
This is what happens to the body if a venomous snake bites you
For many living in or near rural or forested parts of India, the risk of a venomous snake bite is more than a what-if—it's a very real and sometimes fatal emergency. Every year, India reports tens of thousands of snakebite deaths, many of which are preventable with the proper awareness and timely medical action. To understand precisely what happens to your body during a venomous snake bite—and more importantly, what to do about it—we spoke to Dr Khushboo Kataria, Consultant, Critical Care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. 'The effects vary significantly depending on the type of snake and the nature of its venom,' explains Dr Kataria. Neurotoxic venom—found in snakes like cobras and kraits—primarily affects the nervous system. 'It starts with muscle weakness, followed by paralysis,' says Dr Kataria. 'People may experience difficulty breathing, weakness in the limbs, unsteady walking, and visual issues like double or blurred vision.' This type of venom disrupts the transmission of signals between nerves and muscles, often making it hard for the victim even to keep their eyes open. Hemotoxic venom, found in snakes such as the Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper, attacks the blood and blood-clotting mechanisms. 'This can cause internal and external bleeding, tissue and kidney damage, low blood pressure, and an increased heart rate,' Dr Kataria explains. In some cases, this can lead to fatal haemorrhage or multi-organ failure. Myotoxic venom, commonly found in sea snakes, directly attacks muscle tissue. 'This leads to severe muscle breakdown and can also result in kidney damage,' adds Dr Kataria. While not every venomous bite leads to death, fatalities can and do occur—particularly in cases of delayed or inadequate treatment. 'We do have anti-snake venom available in India,' says Dr Kataria. 'But timing is critical. The sooner it's administered, the more effective it is.' Fatalities tend to increase due to: 'Precaution is key,' she adds. 'Prompt medical intervention can be life-saving.' Dr Kataria is clear: what you don't do after a bite is just as important as what you do. Here's her first aid checklist: According to Dr Kataria, you should avoid these dangerous practices: 'Get the person to the nearest medical facility immediately,' emphasises Dr Kataria. 'Even if symptoms seem mild at first, the effects of venom can escalate rapidly.' Misinformation and delayed care often lead to tragedy. 'Education and preparedness,' says Dr Kataria, 'are our best defences.' DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
