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

• Brazilian Giant Coral Snake Bite
• Cerrado Coral Snake Bite
• Micrurus Frontalis Snake Bite

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

• The southern coral snake (Micrurus frontalis) is a moderately venomous snake found in South America, primarily in the countries of Argentina and Brazil. 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
• 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 short tail. The tail does not mimic the head, such as noted in some other coral snake species
• The southern coral snake is characterized by variable head color with yellow/white snout. Like many colorful and glossy coral snakes, the snake presents broad red bands separated by a set of three black rings separated by narrow white rings. The snake’s tail may have alternating black and white bands. The snake can range in size from about 2.5 feet to nearly 5.5 feet in length
• The southern coral snake is terrestrial and generally feeds on limbless lizards and other snakes. The snake is found in lower montane wet forest, tropical and subtropical deciduous forest, savanna, sandy/rocky areas, temperate forest, and pastures and farmlands. It may bury itself under loose soil or leaf litter and is usually found closer to wet areas such as swamps and rivers. The snake may be seen up to altitudes of 2,300 feet (700 m)
• Like many coral snakes, the snake is typically solitary, docile, and tends to silently move away when disturbed. Southern Coral Snake Bites are very uncommon but 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 Southern 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, if needed. The prognosis of Southern Coral Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good, but deaths have been occasionally reported without adequate treatment