Snakebite incidents on the rise

Snakebite incidents on the rise
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 30
With the monsoon in full swing, there is a sharp increase in snakebite incidents in the Jammu region. A number of such cases have been reported at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here. Some patients have even lost their lives. Doctors say most of the cases are being reported from villages. The first sign of snakebite is swelling and redness, which if not taken serious, may lead to heart attack, add doctors.

“After noticing such swelling or redness on any part of the body, the victim should be immediately taken to a nearby hospital so that the treatment could be started as soon as possible,” says a doctor at the GMCH.

He adds, “Any delay either by the victim’s family or by the doctor may lead to the death of the victim. After detecting the snakebite, the patient immediately requires a ventilator because it normally lead to respiratory arrest”.

Referring some recent cases, he says some snakebite incidents could not be easily diagnosed, especially those happened in the night when the victims were sleeping. “These types of cases are tough to handle as the victims need immediate treatment otherwise it can also result into paralysis,” he says.

Vinod Kumar, whose nephew Akhil Kumar was recently bitten by a snake at his house in Smailpur village, said, “We were unaware about what had happened to Akhil. After he got severe stomach pain, we immediately took him to a nearby hospital where the doctors failed to detect the problem. Then he was taken to the GMCH where the doctors told us about it being a case of snakebite”.

“Hardly any sign of snakebite was visible on the body, but the doctors diagnosing him said that the problem in respiratory system and dark redness in eyes were the signs of snakebite. They shifted him to the ICU, gave an anti-snake venom and put him on the ventilator. Only then his life was saved,” adds Vinod.

He says later a snake was also found moving near our house which confirmed that it was a case of snakebite. The GMCH authorities say almost three-fourth of snakebite victims who come to the hospital lose consciousness due to shock. “The victim and his/her family should deal the situation patiently. These types of incidents are very dangerous and tough to handle,” says Dr Sushil Sharma.