Do you need antivenom after a rattlesnake bite? Medical toxicology expert explains
sacbee.com/news/california/article316400977.html
Photo: sacbee.com · view article
Rattlesnake Bites: When California Patients Receive AntivenomAfter a bite, call 9-1-1 immediately; about 25% are dry bites, while CroFab and AnaVip are FDA-approved antivenoms.
Key FactsJul 7, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: sacbee.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: sacbee.com
- After a bite, call 9-1-1 immediately, elevate the affected area, and do not cut the wound or suck out venom.
- Rattlesnake venom can cause severe pain, rapid swelling, nausea, and breathing difficulties.
- Doctors examine patients and draw blood; significant abnormalities or extreme swelling lead them to administer CroFab or AnaVip intravenously.
- Levine estimates that perhaps half of Los Angeles hospitals stock antivenom; foothill and mountain hospitals carry it more often.
"Probably about half of all the bites," Levine said, "could probably be avoided if people don’t do things that (make them) predisposed to being bitten."— Dr. Michael Levine, co-chair of the Division of Medical Toxicology at UCLA, discussing bite prevention
Similar to This
Previous
Rattlesnake blood could reinvent the fight against deadly venoms: In a new study, scientists have shown that specific combinations of FETUA proteins from western ...
thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/rattlesnake-serum-could-reinvent-the-fight-against-deadly-venoms/article71473417.ece
How Rattlesnake Blood Could Help Scientists Build Better Antivenom: Researchers found combinations of rattlesnake blood proteins could block deadly viper venom ...
vice.com/en/article/how-rattlesnake-blood-could-help-scientists-build-better-antivenom/
pnas.org Jul 31
Nature’s antivenom: Combinations of conserved rattlesnake serum metalloproteinase inhibitors block the lethal action of viper venoms | PNAS
pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2612168123
Combined rattlesnake proteins prove 10 times more potent than current antivenom in lab tests
phys.org/news/2026-07-combined-rattlesnake-proteins-potent-current.html
Mail Online Jul 26
College pitcher revived with 34 doses of antivenom after getting bitten by rattlesnake during family hike
dailymail.com/sport/othersports/article-16004289/College-pitcher-revived-34-doses-antivenom.html
Father’s terrifying warning as 3-year-old is bitten by rattlesnake lurking under Amazon package
nypost.com/2026/07/20/us-news/fathers-3-year-old-daughter-is-bitten-by-rattlesnake-hiding-under-amazon-package/
Northern California hospital runs out of antivenom saving man bitten by rattlesnake
pressdemocrat.com/2026/07/14/northern-california-hospital-runs-out-of-antivenom-saving-man-bitten-by-rattlesnake/
Rattlesnake antivenom arrives in Bermuda: Antivenom for treatment of rattlesnake bites has been received by the Bermuda Hospitals Board ...
royalgazette.com/environment/news/article/20260701/rattlesnake-antivenom-arrives-in-bermuda/
Call for public vigilance as snake search continues: Antivenom and other protective tools are being sourced to prepare teams that are working to find a ...
royalgazette.com/environment/news/article/20260628/call-for-public-vigilance-as-snake-search-continues/
Do you need antivenom after a copperhead snake bite? An NC doctor explains: An emergency physician explains crotalid antivenom dosing, hospital care after ...
charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article315963408.html
WIRED Apr 06
Snake Bros Keep Getting Bitten by Their Lethal Pets. Only Zoos Can Save Them: Your venomous serpent bites you, and the clock is ticking. America’s zookeepers—and ...
wired.com/snake-bros-antivenom-index-zoos-influencers-chris-gifford/
New Scientist Apr 02
I have been bitten by more than 200 snakes – on purpose: If you are unlucky enough to have been bitten by a snake, you are unlikely to want to repeat the ...
newscientist.com/article/2521739-i-have-been-bitten-by-more-than-200-snakes-on-purpose/
Snakebites: How to avoid them and what to do if you’re bitten : Snakebites: How to avoid them and what to do if you’re bitten
nation.africa/kenya/health/snakebites-how-to-avoid-them-and-what-to-do-if-you-re-bitten--5365008
A Toddler Needed Rattlesnake Antivenom. It Cost Almost $300,000.: A toddler from San Diego was bit by a rattlesnake in his backyard, the treatment for which cost ...
vice.com/en/article/toddler-rattlesnake-antivenom-cost-almost-300000/
Baringo County teams up with Indian firm to develop custom antivenom: Many patients take too long to reach health facilities, and by the time they arrive ...
nation.africa/kenya/counties/baringo/baringo-county-teams-up-with-indian-firm-to-develop-custom-antivenom-5103082
Man who let snakes bite him 200 times spurs new anti-venom hope: Researchers hope his hyper-immunity can lead to the development of a universal anti-venom ...
straitstimes.com/world/europe/man-who-let-snakes-bite-him-200-times-spurs-new-antivenom-hope
Chihuahua sent to Gilbert animal hospital after being bitten in the face by a rattlesnake
azcentral.com/story/news/local/gilbert/2025/06/04/dog-bitten-in-face-by-rattlesnake-gilbert/84014617007/
'Truly a miracle.' Arizona toddler returns home after week of treatment for rattlesnake bites
usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/24/arizona-toddler-rattlesnake-bites/83841189007/
'Unparalleled' snake antivenom made from man bitten 200 times: Scientists hope to make a universal antivenom from the extraordinary blood of a man exposed to ...
bbc.com/news/articles/cr5d0l7el36o
Key FactsNew Antivenom Targets Venom from 19 Snake Species
May 3, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: itv.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: itv.com
- Tim Friede gradually exposed himself to snake venom over 18 years to build immunity.
- Researchers identified antibodies in his blood that neutralize venom from 19 poisonous snake species.
- The antivenom has only been tested in mice and is several years away from human trials.
- This approach may lower side effects compared to traditional animal-derived antivenoms and transform snakebite treatment.
It's nice to be part of something that changes medical history, herpetology, immunology, and science.— Tim Friede on his role in the development of a groundbreaking snake antivenom.
‘It’s a cowboy show out there’: the deadly lottery of the snakebite antivenom industry
theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/13/its-a-cowboy-show-out-there-the-deadly-lottery-of-the-snakebite-antivenom-industry
Next