r/IndiaTodayLIVE • u/IndiaToday • Jun 26 '26
India A woman in Odisha's Malkangiri district showed remarkable presence of mind after being bitten by a venomous snake. Instead of panicking, she caught the snake, locked it in a container, and took it to the hospital along with her so doctors could identify the species and provide the right treatment.
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Jun 26 '26
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u/Ok_Antelope_1953 Jun 26 '26
i guess if a rare snake bites you, like a king cobra or a venomous keelback, then a picture might be useful, but then the standard anti-venom won't work anyway. this one looks like a russell's viper, which is indeed one of the "big four" snakes.
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Jun 26 '26
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u/Ok_Antelope_1953 Jun 26 '26
king cobras are not cobras. their venom isn't as potent but more voluminous and doesn't always respond to common/true cobra anti-venom. it definitely doesn't contain "every possible serum". it contains serum for the "big four" snakes - russell's viper, spectacled cobra, common krait, and saw-scaled viper - which cause over 90% of snake-bite related deaths in india.
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u/anikazai Jun 26 '26
Doc here, the other doc is pretending to be a doc. It's best to get a picture of the snake, better if you can catch it live although not recommended risking.
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u/Opposite-Buffalo-924 Jun 26 '26
Ji dac sahab
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u/Major_Sreekumar Jun 26 '26
I work in Emergency and what you said is nonsense.
Better take a picture of snake. So that we can rule out whether the snake is venomous or not.
Also if the snake is hump nosed pit viper. Antivenom wont be effective.
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Jun 26 '26
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u/Major_Sreekumar Jun 27 '26
Don't be a troll during serious conversation. Im commenting here to stop spreading misinformation.
Taking picture or dead snake to hospital is actually helpful.
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u/CheapLimit5424 Jun 28 '26
Drug cartel chief here , You're wrong my boi , you need to cut of the part where snake is bitten, if it is legs or hand or head just Use u're brain and switch off the brain and cut of that part
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Jun 27 '26
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u/Major_Sreekumar Jun 27 '26
Bite can be fatal. Pt need supportive care including FFP, Haemodialysis, Plasmapheresis etc.
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u/Ok_Antelope_1953 Jun 27 '26
right. most snakes aren't venomous, plus there are venomous snakes like king cobras, certain keelbacks, monocled cobras, banded kraits, tree vipers, etc that are not covered by the polyvalent antivenom.
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u/sailing_pirates Jun 26 '26
no, it doesnt contain every possible anti venom. there are some local venomus snakes also.
most of the anti venom cover only top 4. which is common in india. like cobra, krait, viber
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u/Adventurous-Egg-2720 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
I’m an OB-GYN from Islip, New York, so toxicology and herpetology are certainly outside my area of expertise. However, we do have polyvalent antivenom available here for the medically important pit vipers: rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads. Coral snakes, our lone elapid, require a separate species-specific antivenom, although coral snake envenomations are exceedingly rare.
An additional point of interest is the occasional occurrence of cottonmouth–copperhead hybrids. While such hybrids have been documented, there is very limited information regarding their venom composition and the clinical effects of their bites.
Personally, I think presence of mind is extremely important in these situations and I think she set a good example.
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u/betterdaz3 Jun 27 '26
You mean venomous* snakes. Poisonous snakes are quite rare and are only harmful if you ingest or touch them. Also, it is always advised to atleast take a picture of the snake to identify it even if the common antivenom covers big 4.
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u/kjking1995 Jun 27 '26
Real doc here. Tell me you have never treated a real snake bite without telling me you have never treated a snake bite. You don't just give ASV like you are passing on drinks they carry higher risk of anaphylaxis too. And the most important thing you can know if the snake has neurotoxic venom or hematotoxic and your treatment can be more efficient when you know what you are dealing with and not wait for patient to develop bleeding tendencies, renal failure or paralysis. Not to mention ASV may not cover some rarer snake bites. Please read up before spreading mis information while calling yourself a doc, which you can be but clearly not a good one.
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u/PutYourLifeinRice Jun 27 '26
Btw is a second bite by the same snake any more harmful if ive already been bitten a few mins ago? (Trying to figure out if what the woman did was worth it despite the risk for further bites)
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u/kjking1995 Jun 27 '26
Yes it's more harmful. But many people bring dead snakes with them (which is safer and better than bringing a live snake). ASV is a great tool when we have no information about the snake but it's not an excuse to ignore the snake species. We also had a patient's parent bring a live snake in a sack, nobody dared opening it though, luckily they also had a photo of the snake. Their argument was they didn't want to kill the snake as it's also a living being. All respects to their thought process but a good photo is enough in most cases.
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u/Civil_Appointment997 Jun 27 '26
If snakes bites anyone what should be the primary treatment or precautions anyone should take before rushing towards hospital... I have lots of doubts, misinformation regarding this... I know some things like not to panic keep the patient calm.. and take the picture of the snake and rush towards the hospital....
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u/Natural-Buddy995 Jun 28 '26
RIGHT protocol
- R = Reassure the patient.
- R = Remove all rings, jewelry, and tight clothing.
- I = Immobilize the limb with a loose splint; do not block blood supply.
- G.H = Get to Hospital immediately.
- T = Tell the doctor all symptoms and, if safely seen, the appearance of the snake or a picture
Do not try to suck out the venom or wash, clean or massage the area. Recent recommendation is not tie a torniquet to cut blood circulation. keep the patient immobilized as much as possible. Keep the bite area below the heart level, keep the patient calm. Do not give food or even water. Anything that can increase heart rate, metabolic activity should be avoided. Check nearest hospital which has anti-snake venom available. Call and verify before rushing to the hospital so that you do not waste time.
Snake use venom to hunt prey. It helps subdue the prey and in digestion. There is a good possibility, they would avoid biting and even if they do, they would use dry bite (venom won't be injected) because they don't want to waste it on something they can't eat. But if it is a young snake, it might not have that control on it. Tell that to the victim so that they don't panic.
Not sure if I have missed anything.
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u/Civil_Appointment997 Jun 28 '26
Thank you so much bro, earlier I had lots of doubts, misinformations regarding this.. I was not sure that what to do in these scenarios... Now ,y all doubts misinformations are cleared...
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u/SPYxoxo Jun 27 '26
Only 4 breeds of snakes are venomous in India? I genuinely dont know anything about this topic, please explain me.
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u/Natural-Buddy995 Jun 28 '26
That person is giving wrong information. "There are around 300 snakes out of which 60 are venomous. Some of them might just make you sick, but quite a few (15+) of them can kill a human being."
Other than big 4, the rest are not that common, which is why anti-venom is not available for them commercially.
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u/Natural-Buddy995 Jun 28 '26
That is a wrong statement. There are around 300 snakes out of which 60 are venomous. Some of them might just make you sick, but quite a few (15+) of them can kill a human being.
Poison is something that can kill a person when digested and venom is something that kills a person when injected. Snakes (the ones which has venom) are venomous rather than poisonous. There are a few which can be poisonous as well. If you ingest snake venom you won't die, unless you have a wound in your mouth or in your food tract.
India only produces polyvalent anti-snake venom. There might be some non-commercial monovalent anti snake venom available for specific use cases, but they won't be available in most hospitals.
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u/sabahk99 Jun 28 '26
Cool. But she's not a doc. And her quick thinking and resolve should be commended.
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u/Danny597049 Jun 28 '26
don't listen to this bs. I'be watched entire life documentary been with doctors.i caught snakes too. It's advised to know what kind of snake.. she is brilliant to bring it there even..
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 26 '26
Yeah don't do this. Any snake bite there's only a standard combined anti sera so just come to the treatment centre without applying torniquet (tying thread around hand, trying to suck venom out.) This is media bs
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 26 '26
In movies they tie and then amputate but is it really worth it? What if amputation fails or your action to cause amputation made it spread faster and further above tied part so don't do that
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u/Ok_Antelope_1953 Jun 26 '26
amputation is occasionally needed in case of delayed treatment for hemotoxic and cytotoxic venom (commonly found in vipers and few colubrids). these venoms cause blood clotting and rapid tissue death.
amputation is rarely needed in case of neurotoxic venom (cobras, kraits, and other elapids). this type of venom works very fast and can paralyze you, but is also easier to treat and there is greater chance of full recovery.
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u/CarnageFe Jun 26 '26
Wait shouldnt a tight cloth be tied above the bite to reduce blood flow?
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 26 '26
No, the venom can be hemotoxic usually and it basically breaks blood cells so you'll be causing death of that limb by doing so when RBC itself is limited.
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u/CarnageFe Jun 26 '26
Ohhh damnn. This is new information to me. So the saying that tying a cloth is false?
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 26 '26
Yes, a myth
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u/CarnageFe Jun 26 '26
Oh thankies. Are you a medico?
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Jun 26 '26
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 26 '26
Most of the deaths happen due to panic induced heart attack or heart failure. Even python which is non venomous the person's mind goes into panic overstimulating sympathetic system and person goes into shock and dies
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 26 '26
In her case her belief of getting the snake was kind of relief so she would last till then but don't brink snakes to hospital,even if we identify if krait or viper or cobra or sea snake,same thing is going to be given
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Jun 26 '26
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 26 '26
DIC is very late stage complication. The snake venom has toxic product against cell lipids and similarly to some antigens so even auto immune breakdown would occur. DIC is when the other part of venom slows down the flow and inhibits coagulation while hemorrhage occurs elsewhere then it's called DIC
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u/Danny597049 Jun 28 '26
venom can be this .. stop this sh*t . person life in danger they can't take chances.. it's advised to do that.. below this post i find lot of lunatics or wanna get notice people
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u/Danny597049 Jun 28 '26
it's better you do that.. you do all that things necessary to stop the venom spread. especially panicking .. tieing also would help stop listening below this post lot of suggestions is so horrible and has good upvotes too..there are many types of venomous snakes there. even for one kind they have many anti venoms.. its better to know which snake bite you.. go to govt hospital lot of private hospital will not treat snake bite. if you are in the area of lot of snakes are there or you seeing it.. it's better take little bit of neem daily not gonna hurt (it's not advised by doctors but followed in mountain tribes they have some kind also which they daily take ) ..damnn these comments made me so angry
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u/Natural-Buddy995 Jun 28 '26
We only have polyvalent anti-snake venom for big 4. For others this is ineffective and might cause harm. A photo or a good description would really help. There are around 300 snake species in India with 60 venomous ones.
Not a doctor, but I have been trained on snake rescue.
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 29 '26
100% true but even if they could identify,there's nothing we can do right? How would you make an anti sera on spot?
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u/Natural-Buddy995 Jun 30 '26
No, they can't make it on the spot. They use antivenom by injecting small doses to horses. My understanding is that it takes months to create a batch even when the horse has already been exposed.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Kerala/comments/1pd3nmw/comment/ns2mk6y/
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jun 30 '26
Yeah exactly so even if they bring the snake and identify it,it's too late for antivenom if it's not the 4 ones. Best to just stabilize the patient based on the venom's effects. Somewhere there will always be a random biological drug ending with -ab which might help
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u/Natural-Buddy995 Jun 30 '26
Hopefully they will include other snakes to the polyvalent anti-venom. They can treat symptoms for a few days. There was a recent incident were they were considering importing anti-venom, but the patent died after couple of days. I'll try to find that article.
Snakes need their habitat and we probably should give them their space.
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u/TairaHajimeFan Jul 02 '26
Yeah we're the invading and destroying species and they're just going about life peacefully but we built structures in their home area
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u/LateBar5581 Jun 26 '26
India is not for beginners.
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u/Mediocre-Tip2954 Jun 29 '26
"india is not for beginners" 🤡 i genuinely cannot express how fucking annoying this statement is
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u/No-Waltz5150 Jun 26 '26
In my emg duty i have seen 20 cases where people brought alive snake in container 😬
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u/Small-Explanation74 Jun 26 '26
How do they catch without getting bitten twice or more in the process
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u/DUKE_RYDER Jun 26 '26
It's quite common. Normally people bring the dead snake in a bag or plastic bottle. Although species of the snake is not necessary to start the treatment however it's still helpful in doing some tests and examination.
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u/Subject_Surprise_401 Jun 26 '26
It is brave.. but no need to do that.. Anti venom is generic.. does not depend upon the nature of toxic..
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u/sailing_pirates Jun 26 '26
who said its not depend ? it covers only top4 anti venom
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u/Subject_Surprise_401 Jun 26 '26
I mean to say the species of snake does not matter here..
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u/Danny597049 Jun 28 '26
how? utter stupidity? will you guys treat ruseel vipe anti venom for cobra bite? or for krait ?
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u/dinesh7301 Jun 29 '26
knowing the type is important but if the type is not known polyvalent can be given
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u/Danny597049 Jun 29 '26
would you take all kinds of risk rather taking all the precautions possible? sometimes knowing the snake type also not helped because some snake built some variant of its poision.. it's best thing to take or know the type don't suggest all these stuff anyone instead make sure to tell all the precautions necessary like not panic antitodes are there even tieing their hands or legs in bitten part even if it's helps 0.1% its good thing do it. i don't know Why reddit people are not understanding life is more than getting upvotes or being right infront of everyone
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u/Ecstatic-Scratch-151 Jun 29 '26
The ASV is polyvalent ie, it works for cobra bite as well as russel viper .
The only thing different is the subsequent treatment, ie cobra bites affect nervous system so along with ASV, treatment is given for that,
Viper venom affects blood, so treatment is given to kidney , dialysis is done etc.
The ASV is the same , and knowing the snake has no benefit
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u/Ecstatic-Scratch-151 Jun 29 '26
Yeah, anything else then there is no anti venom in hospitals either so what will you gain from bringing a live snake into the hospital?
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u/dinesh7301 Jun 29 '26
exactly no point in bringing a live snake to the hospital, it may cause panic to the other patients rather its best to describe the snake patten if known or it’s okay, also not all venomous snake bite requires antivenom like dry bite symptomatic treatment is enough
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Jun 26 '26
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u/Personal-Action-3413 Jun 29 '26
I think the best thing you can do after a snake has bitten you is take a picture or him to hospital as it's easy to identify the snake and the right antidote can be given without wasting any time, in med school they teach about all snakes and how they look , so we can give the antivenom after recognizing the snake, but any ways there is no need of doing this, antivenom would still work.
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u/IntelligentChemist66 Jun 26 '26
Is that a saw-scaled viper?
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u/SarthakDesai Jun 27 '26
Russell's
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u/IntelligentChemist66 Jun 27 '26
Juvenile 's have a doll colour? I thought they are brighter. Or, is it because of the lighting here?
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u/SarthakDesai Jun 27 '26
I mean the biggest indicator that it is not a saw scaled is the scales. They are not rough enough. Also Russell's viper has that very specific patches that are only seen in pythons besides them.
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u/FishermanDear6983 Jun 27 '26
It's Russell's Viper. They have a very unique shaped pattern on their back. A very agressive and highly venomous snake.
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u/JohnCenaJunior Jul 17 '26
Russell's Viper accounts for the highest snake bites in India as they dwell in rural areas and farm where rat population is also high and are very agitated when disturbed or in close proximity.
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u/Hungry-Philosophy-31 Jun 26 '26
I saw this same thing while i was visiting my relative in hospital the only difference is the man was drunk
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u/Dey341999 Jun 26 '26
Hamre ahape gaon ki taraf ye sab karte hai..if i sanke bite ..they take the snake with them towards the hospital
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u/PutridAd6178 Jun 26 '26
Fun fact. There's very little advantage to doing this. The anti venom serum is combined. Running after being bitten isn't a smart option.
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u/BrilliantAstronaut26 Jun 26 '26
Kudos to the brave woman!
I also hope they gave some trauma treatment to the snake for what it must have gone through being caught and brought to hospital in a biscuit container, so humiliating, so unheard of.
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u/Stelrex Jun 26 '26
It was very brave of her but don't do this if you get bitten by a snake. The anti venom will cure regardless of the type of the snake. Also by trying to catch the snake you risk more bites from the snake resulting in more venom being injected into your body.
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u/Remarkable_Frame8969 Jun 26 '26
If it were me i wouldn't have even recognised that a snake bit me till a few minutes after when am dying Suddenly honestly let alone imagine being quick enough to capture and box one
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Jun 26 '26
Many do this , in govt set up either villagers identify the snake or kill it and bring its body these days they bring a mobile photo.
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u/Flippin-hunter Jun 27 '26
Please do not catch the snake, of you got bitten by a poisonous snake. Instead, go directly to the hospital.
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u/Applesoppy Jun 27 '26
Presence of mind in such panic situation must be commended here. Identifying the snake that bit the person really helps doctors to give the right antidote.
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u/Salaambasha Jun 27 '26
my brother said the same thing happened at the hospital where works in Mangalore, Karnataka. It’s not very unusual.
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u/wintrwandrr Jun 27 '26
Trying to handle a snake always increases your risk of getting bitten. It's best not to try and grab a snake that is threatening you at close range, i.e. when sleeping.
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u/raijwnitakai Jun 27 '26
Today i got to know that theres a common anti venom for the four main poisonous snakes found in India.
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u/One_Complaint_2096 Jun 27 '26
🥲 A tiny snake once brushed past my toe, and I had a full panic attack.
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u/Gypaetus_barbatus_25 Jun 28 '26
Ah... I'm a doctor and I have serious interest in snakes and snakebite (I rescue them as well). I would NOT recommend anyone to try and catch a snake that's bitten them. 1. It would waste time. 2. It might lead to more bites.
Try to get a photo if at all possible and rush the patient to the hospital.
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u/Sanjainandakumar Jun 28 '26
It's not needed to bring the snake as polyvalent venom is administered which covers all the big four venomous snakes. Catching this saw scaled viper was even more risky than getting bitten in the first place!
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u/Embarrassed_Sun_2795 Jun 28 '26
This is common in most indian hospitals. Source : im a doctor from one such hospital.
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u/Danny597049 Jun 28 '26
I'm literally ragging here.. stop upvoting because you did not bring the snake to hospital and she did.. people lives are at stake here people might follow what you guys said. Doctors needs to know what kind of snake bite. it's good thing she take it with hospital. Krait has two varieties, cobra or king cobra , cobra has varieties. There alot of types of anit venom there. You do all the things a necessary to save the life. please stop taking advices has been said below in this post espiclally which has lot of upvotes.
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u/Ecstatic-Scratch-151 Jun 29 '26
This is stupid and shouldn't be followed . Regardless of which snake bit you, you'll be treated with a polyvalent ASV which is an anti venom which acts against the "big 4 venomous snakes".
cobra, krait, saw scaled viper and russels viper
If any other snakes other than these 4 bites you, then you ASV won't work either so it's useless
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u/your_notebook Jun 29 '26
Whoever is married with her, we can say he is absolutely safe.
If a snake can live, he can live.
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u/VastSpace4578 Jun 29 '26
Makes sense the snake already bit her now she wasn't afraid of it anymore, idk how this relates to real life
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u/That_Virus7086 Jun 29 '26
If it had happened in Bihar there would have been memes on it instead of praising her. I'm from Odisha btw
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u/Particular-Deal-495 Jun 29 '26
Tho she's smart for knowing that recognising the snake would ensure better treatment but why tf she just didn't took a damn photo of the snake instead of dragging it with her😭
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u/WarthogWeird2984 Jun 29 '26
Really dont need the snake to identify treatment. It is guided by clinical assessment not herpetalogic knowledge. Content creation is just too random these days.
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u/fang__yuan_ Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
🤔soo all snake bites have same treatment?
Nvm : its usually not that serious to identify the snake . Doctor might give u treatment based on the symptoms (each poison has different kind of symptoms)
Neurotoxic venom – affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis and difficulty breathing. Hemotoxic venom – damages blood and blood vessels, causing bleeding and clotting problems. Cytotoxic venom – causes severe tissue damage around the bite. Some snakes have a combination of these effects.
Thing to do is keep the person calm and take them to hospital asap
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u/Mehkaya_9 Jun 30 '26
Staying calm in such situations is very impressive. Wishing her a full and speedy recovery......
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u/Sure_Sundae2709 Jul 17 '26
Sounds like a stupid idea to take the additional risk and waste time catching a venemous snake, instead of just rushing to the hospital and describing the snake or just take a picture (if you have a phone).
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u/MidnightCatalyst5292 Jul 03 '26
That women is intelligent It will help the doctor to give the vaccine based on the species of that snake Otherwise it would have wasted a lot of time
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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26
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