Until now, anti-venom serum is the only way that can be done to neutralize the poison in the body due to a venomous snake bite. How exactly is the use of anti-snake venom serum?
Anti snake venom serum or snake antivenom immunoglobulin is a drug that can neutralize toxins in the body due to venomous snake bites. This drug has been used for a long time as a treatment for venomous snake bites.
Without anti-venom serum, bites from venomous snakes can cause various symptoms, ranging from swelling of the bitten area, heavy bleeding, paralysis, brain damage, to death.
Get to know what an anti-venom serum is
Anti-venom serum is made by injecting snake venom into the body of an animal, such as a horse or sheep. These animals have a strong immune system and can form antibodies or immunoglobulins against snake venom. These antibodies from the animal's blood plasma are then taken and made into anti-venom serum. attached to body tissues, so there are no harmful effects on health.
Because it comes from animals, the use of anti-snake venom serum can cause anaphylactic reactions and side effects serum sickness. Symptoms that arise from an anaphylactic reaction are itching, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headache. Usually, these symptoms occur within minutes to hours after the injection of the drug.
Side effects serum sickness generally appear within 5-12 days after the injection of the drug. Symptoms that can be seen from this side effect are fever, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), skin infections, and joint pain.
Therefore, the use of anti-venom serum should be under the supervision of a doctor and is not recommended to be used independently.
In Indonesia, the commonly used anti-venom serum is polyvalent, meaning that the serum is effective against several types of snake venom. Unfortunately, these drugs are quite expensive and are often in short supply.
The Right Time for Giving Anti-Snake Venom Serum
Snake bites need to be treated quickly. If late, the venom from snake bites can cause swelling, allergic reactions, severe bleeding, kidney failure, low blood pressure, respiratory problems, nervous disorders, amputations, and even death.
Anti-venom serum should be injected within the first 4 hours after being bitten by a snake. Even so, this drug is known to still be effective when given within the first 24 hours after the bite. The dose given depends on the amount of snake venom that enters the body, as well as the size and type of snake that bites.
Given that anti-venom serum is the only way to neutralize toxins in the body from a venomous snake bite, it is important to get an injection of this medicine immediately after being bitten by a venomous snake.
So if you see someone bitten by a snake or at any time you yourself are bitten by a snake, do first aid for being bitten by a snake and then immediately go to the emergency room or the nearest health center to get further treatment.
