sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Snake bites: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Treat any suspected venomous snake bite as an emergency.

    Call the local emergency number or poison centre immediately, even if the wound looks minor and you feel well.

    Get emergency help for:

    • Any known or possible bite from a venomous snake
    • Rapidly increasing pain or swelling
    • Bleeding, unusual bruising, or blood in urine
    • Drooping eyelids, weakness, or trouble speaking or swallowing
    • Difficulty breathing, collapse, confusion, or severe drowsiness
    • Repeated vomiting or very little urine

    Avoid unnecessary movement and wait for emergency transport when available.

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for wound review, repeat blood tests, rehabilitation, and symptoms that are improving slowly without emergency warning signs.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    After discharge, seek urgent medical advice for renewed bleeding, increasing swelling, fever, worsening wound changes, reduced urine, new weakness, or breathing difficulty.

    A rash, fever, or joint pain in the days or weeks after antivenom may be serum sickness and needs prompt assessment, but it is not usually an emergency unless breathing problems, facial swelling, or collapse occur.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus

The article also says

Do not drive yourself if symptoms are developing.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Snake bites. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.