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

• Eastern Worm-Eating Coral Snake Bite
• Micrurus Hemprichii Snake Bite
• Rondonia Coral Snake Bite

What is Hemprich's Coral Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The Hemprich's coral snake (Micrurus hemprichii) is a moderately venomous snake found in South America in the nations of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. The snake belongs to the Elapidae family that generally includes slender and swift moving snakes, of genus coral snakes (Micrurus) that form a large group of elegant and ‘mostly’ brightly colored and banded venomous reptiles. There are several subspecies of Micrurus hemprichii
• The body of the snake is slender to medium, and it has a small, rounded head and blunt snout. The head and neck of the snake are almost continuous (same size). The snake’s body is typically cylindrical and uniform in size; it has a slightly long pointed tail. The tail does not mimic the head, such as noted in some coral snake species
• Like many colorful and glossy coral snakes, the Hemprich's coral snake is characterized by a black head with orange band and black neck. The snake color and pattern varies based on the geographical location and subspecies noted. Generally, it may consist of narrow orange to orange-yellow bands separated by three broad black rings interspersed by two thin white rings. The tail is usually broad yellow-orange band followed by black and white rings
• The Hemprich's coral snake may range in size from over 1.5 feet to a little over 3 feet in length. The snake is terrestrial and generally feeds on worms, small lizards, and other snakes. It is typically found in leaf litter in lower montane wet forest, seasonally dry gallery forest, and primary rainforest. The snake may be seen up to altitudes of 5,300 feet (1,600 m)
• Like many coral snakes, the snake is typically solitary, docile, and tends to silently move away when disturbed. Hemprich's Coral Snake Bites can rarely result in fatalities due to systemic envenomation (venom injection through a bite) in the absence of treatment. The potent myotoxic-neurotoxic venom released can cause systemic effects including significant muscle damage and respiratory distress
• The signs and symptoms of Hemprich's Coral Snake Bite may include mild local effects at the bite site, such as pain and swelling. As various body systems gets rapidly affected by the venom, it can result in widespread symptoms including convulsions, dizziness, severe flaccid paralysis, and kidney failure
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include pain medication, IV fluid administration, respiratory support, and peritoneal dialysis, as required. The prognosis of Hemprich's Coral Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good, but deaths have been reported without adequate treatment