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

• Bothrops Jararaca Snake Bite
• Brazilian Lancehead Pitviper Snake Bite
• Jararaca Pitviper Snake Bite

What is Jararaca Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The jararaca snake (Bothrops jararaca) is a highly venomous snake that ranges in size from over 2.5 feet to 8 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 a variety of habitats, including the tropical and semitropical forests, grasslands, and parts of the Amazon basin in the nations of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay in the South American continent. The snake also frequents agricultural lands near thick vegetation cover. It is mostly a nocturnal reptile that hunts at night, feeding mainly on small mammals (rodents), frogs, and small birds; young ones may also prey on centipedes
• The jararaca snake has a medium-sized body. The head of the snake is broad and shaped like a lance (spear) and distinct from its neck. The snake color can vary from yellow-tan to nearly maroon (the snake is usually darker at both ends of the body); its body pattern is extremely variable with irregular dark blotches (usually edged with a thin line of lighter or white scales). The snake’s belly is lighter than its body
• Jararaca 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-myotoxins that can cause hypovolemic shock and renal failure; the rate of envenomation is over 80% according to reports
• In general, the signs and symptoms of Jararaca Snake Bite may include moderate to severe pain at the bite site and local swelling with bruising, blistering, abscess formation, 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 Jararaca Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; fatalities are known to take place infrequently (lethality rate of bites is about 10% without proper treatment)