First Aid for Snakes Bite

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KABARAK UNIVERSITY NAME: DORCAS AWUOR ODHIAMBO ED/M/1087/09/12 CYNTHIA KUPKANIA ED/M/0980/09/12 UNIT: HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIT CODE: EDUC 414 LECTURER: DR TIKOKO DATE OF SUBMISSION: 31/3/2015 TASK: FIRST AID; SNAKE BITES. SNAKE BITES. Snakebite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake, often resulting in puncture wounds inflicted by the animal's fangs and sometimes resulting in envenomation. Although the majority of snake species are non-venomous and typically kill their prey with constriction rather than venom, venomous snakes can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Snakes often bite their prey as a method of hunting, but also for defensive purposes against predators. Since the physical appearance of snakes may differ, there is often no practical way to identify a species and professional medical attention should be sought. Signs and symptoms The most common symptoms of all snakebites are overwhelming fear, which may cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, and cold, clammy skin. Most snakebite whether by a venomous snake or not, will have some type of local effect. There is minor pain and redness in over 90 percent of cases, although this varies depending on the site. Bites by vipers and some cobras may be extremely painful, with the local tissue sometimes becoming tender and severely swollen within five minutes. This area may also bleed and blister and can eventually lead to tissue necrosis. Other common initial symptoms of pit viper and viper bites include lethargy, bleeding, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may become more life-threatening over time, developing into hypotension, severe internal bleeding, kidney failure, and respiratory failure. Treatment It is not an easy task determining whether or not a bite by any species of snake is life-threatening. A bite by a North

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