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

• Austrelaps Superbus Snake Bite
• Common Copperhead Snake Bite

What is Painted Coral Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The lowland copperhead snake (Austrelaps superbus) is a highly venomous snake found in southeastern region of Australia (in the states of New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria), including in the island of Tasmania. The snake belongs to the Elapidae family that generally includes slender and swift moving snakes. It is unrelated to the copperhead snakes of USA, which belongs to the Viperidae family
• The snake is cylindrical, robust, and medium-bodied with a relatively long tail. The head is moderately small with a pointed snout and is slightly distinct from its neck. The lowland copperhead may range in size from about 3.5 feet to nearly 6 feet in length. It has a dark brown back with light copper-colored and yellow sides. The underbelly is pale yellow-brown to gray-brown. The snake’s head is usually pale brown to copper brown and the chin light cream to even whitish
• The snake is terrestrial and generally feeds on lizards (skinks), frogs, birds, small mammals, and other snakes, including other lowland copperheads (cannibalistic species). It prefers to hunt during the daytime. The snake is generally found inhabiting forests, woodlands, and shrublands in hill slopes and valleys, mostly hiding beneath fallen tree logs, grass tussocks, rocks, and in rodent burrows
• The lowland copperhead snake is found in cool climates usually close to rivers, streams, marshes, and other waterbodies. The snake has a timid, mild disposition looking to flee and take cover if disturbed. Even when cornered, the snake does not bite, but attempts to warn its intruders through loud hissing sounds, flattened head and forebody stance, and by thrashing about hostilely
• The snake may be found in urban and semi-urban areas, and therefore, human interactions are not uncommon. Lowland Copperhead Snake Bites can result in fatalities from systemic envenomation (venom injection through a bite) in the absence of treatment; the rate of envenoming is between 20-40%. The potent neurotoxic-myotoxic venom released can cause systemic effects including significant flaccid paralysis
• The signs and symptoms of Lowland Copperhead Snake Bite may include 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 headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, dizziness, and collapse
• 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, and respiratory support. The prognosis of Lowland Copperhead Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; but without proper treatment, the lethality rate is high at about 30-40%