What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Bothrops Fonsecai Snake Bite
• Fonseca's Lancehead Pitviper Snake Bite
• Fonseca's Pitviper Snake Bite

What is Fonseca's Lancehead Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The Fonseca's lancehead (Bothrops fonsecai) is a rare and moderately venomous snake that ranges in size from less than 2 feet to about 5 feet in length. The snake belongs to the subspecies of pit vipers, family Viperidae. Pit vipers are termed so, due to the presence of certain heat-sensing organs located in a recess/notch between their eyes and nostrils
• This reptile is found in the Atlantic forest zone (in well-drained areas), which is the South American forest extending along the Atlantic coastline spanning several countries including Brazil. It is a nocturnal snake that hunts at night, preying mainly on small mammals, birds, and lizards
• The Fonseca's lancehead snake has a medium to large sized body with a short tail. The head of the snake is broad and shaped like a lance (spear) and distinct from its neck. The snake has moveable front fangs. The snake color is usually in brown shades (tan to medium-brown) marked by black blotches with pale-edges. These patterns may combine to form irregular crossbands on the body. The sides of the snake may present a series of smaller dark blotches
• Fonseca's Lancehead Snake Bites involving humans are very uncommon. Even though infrequent, a bite from a fully-grown snake has the potential to result in severe envenomation (venom injection) with significant symptoms, in the absence of adequate treatment. The snake venom is a potent mix of hemotoxins and myotoxins that can cause bleeding, hypovolemic shock, and renal failure
• In general, the signs and symptoms of Fonseca's Lancehead Snake Bite may include severe bite effects such as pain, local swelling with bruising, blistering, and tissue necrosis. In case of systemic symptoms, the bite can result in headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, seizures, and collapse
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include the use of pain medication, wound care, blood transfusion, and breathing support, if needed. The prognosis of Fonseca's Lancehead Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; fatalities are known to take place infrequently without proper treatment