Snake venom
Snake venom is a highly modified saliva containing zootoxins that facilitates the immobilization and digestion of prey, and is used defensively as a method of self-defense. It is injected by unique fangs during a bite, and some species are also able to spit their venom.
Composition[edit | edit source]
The proteins in snake venom are responsible for the venom's deadly effects. They are divided into four categories: enzymes, polypeptides and peptides, metalloproteins, and free amino acids and lipids. Each of these components has a different effect on the human body, ranging from paralysis to death.
Effects[edit | edit source]
Snake venom can cause a variety of effects, including pain, swelling, necrosis, and paralysis. The specific effects depend on the type of snake, the amount of venom, and the location of the bite. In some cases, snake venom can also cause systemic effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and unconsciousness.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The primary treatment for snake venom is the administration of antivenom, which is a serum that contains antibodies against the venom. This treatment can be life-saving, but it must be administered as soon as possible after the bite. In addition to antivenom, supportive care such as pain management and wound care is also important.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Snake venom Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
