[ad_1]
The fear of snakes is common in Australia, especially among tourists.
But the idea that poisonous snakes sink their fangs and venom into many people is an "absolute myth," says Professor Geoff Isbister of Newcastle University.
Snake bites in Australia cause about two deaths a year, said Professor Isbister, of the university's clinical toxicology research group.
The group is based at Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, which contains the only Australian laboratory capable of measuring all kinds of snake venom.
The researchers examined venom in the blood of victims of a snake bite to determine the type of snake and the effects of the bite.
Professor Isbister is part of the Australian Snakebite Project, which records snakebites and envenomations. [when venom enters the blood].
The project examines 70% to 80% of all snake bites in Australia.
Although it is difficult to know the exact figures, it is estimated that about 3,000 to 5,000 snakebites occur each year in Australia.
"Some people are bitten by non-venomous snakes and other biting people," he said.
"There are only 100 to 200 severe envenomations each year – cases that require an antivenom."
Half of the cases involve "people interfering with snakes".
"One in 10 cases is a snake manipulator. Then there are men who do stupid things with snakes. And there's always a casual person coming out of her house on a rural property and walking on a brown snake, "he said.
"The problem with brown snakes is that they have very small fangs. When they bite, they may leave no trace and you may not feel anything, but you may have a serious envenomement. "
A tourist can be stung by a snake once or twice a year.
"In terms of coming to Australia, you are much more likely to be killed in a cab on the way to the airport," he said.
Professor Isbister will this year create a new $ 800,000 five-year research grant, funded by the National Board of Health and Medical Research.
His work aims to make snake bite medicine more accurate.
"Antivenom is expensive and carries risks," he said.
"It's effective when you give it right, that's early. It will not do anything if it is given inappropriately.
We are now focusing on the effectiveness of antivenom serum. The hardest thing to determine is whether people have been envied.
Professor Geoff Isbister
With most snake bites, people come to the hospital in an hour or two. However, doctors often have no way of knowing if patients have been inflamed.
"Anyone with a history worthy of the name or an alleged snake bite will be admitted to the hospital for observation for 12 hours," he said.
As things stand, patients sometimes develop an antivenom when they do not need it.
The professor's research aims to develop a blood test that can be done at the bedside.
Such a test would quickly determine if a patient had been taken, thus confirming the need for an antivenom.
[ad_2]
Source link
