Snake bite – a potentially serious condition

Abstract

The number of snakebite victims in Europe is small when compared to tropical countries. In Portugal there are two species of
snakes - Vipera seoanei and Vipera latastei, which may be found
in Gerês, Monchique, Amarela and Sintra mountains, Guadiana valley and Mafra.
In this article, the authors present the clinical case of a 26-year old man who was bitten by a snake on his right hand while on
holiday in the Gerês mountains. On admission he had bite marks
of moderate to severe gravity – the upper right limb was extremely
swollen, bruised and a haemorrhagic blister was present on the
hand. Laboratory abnormalities suggesting acute renal injury,
rhabdomyolisis and a consumptive coagulopathy were detected.
The time period from snake-bite to treatment surpassed the
period for anti-venom administration. The patient was treated
conservatively, showed clinical and laboratory improvement
and was discharged from hospital ten days later. The difference
between venomous snakes and inoffensive ones, as well as the
complications of snake bite, treatment and indications for anti-venom are discussed.