Venomous snake "hiding" in the toilet bit a person who had just woken up

(Dan Tri) - A resident in Ho Chi Minh City was suddenly bitten by a red-tailed green pit viper in the morning while preparing to do personal hygiene.

On October 22, a representative of People's Hospital 115 said that this unit had just received and treated a rare case of snake bite.

Previously, the victim was taken to the hospital with a red and swollen thumb, the pain spreading rapidly, but he was still conscious and had stable vital signs. Medical history revealed that the patient was bitten by a snake in his home that morning.

"While reaching for the toothbrush, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my thumb. When I looked back, I saw a green snake raising its head," the person said.

Images recorded at the scene show that the snake is more than half a meter long, a red-tailed green pit viper.

Left thumb wound after being bitten by a red-tailed green pit viper (Photo: Hospital)

Identifying this as a wound at risk of snake venom and infection, doctors immediately provided first aid to the patient by cleaning the wound, giving a tetanus shot, and transferring him to the Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department for intensive treatment.

During the first day, the bite site gradually swelled and spread to the hand and forearm, accompanied by pain. Ultrasound images showed soft tissue edema, fortunately no vascular damage. The results of blood coagulation and biochemical tests were all within safe limits.

Patients are given Viper Antivenom Serum from the rare medicine warehouse of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health according to the Ministry of Health 's guidelines for treating venomous snake bites.

According to doctors, red-tailed green pit viper venom contains the enzymes fibrinogenase and haemorrhagin, which disrupt blood clotting and destroy tissue. Early treatment with serum is the key to saving the patient's life.

At the same time, the patient was treated with antibiotics for cellulitis after a snakebite, combined with wound care and general support. After 7 days of intensive treatment, the patient recovered well and was safely discharged from the hospital.

The rainy season is the breeding season for many venomous snakes. Therefore, people must be vigilant about snakes when living and moving, especially in bushes, fields and gardens.

If you are bitten by a snake, you should go immediately to a medical facility that can provide emergency treatment and administer antivenom. Never use traditional methods such as cutting the wound, sucking out the venom, or applying leaves, as this can cause infection, necrosis, and even directly threaten your life.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/ran-doc-nap-trong-nha-ve-sinh-can-nguoi-vua-ngu-day-20251022145804814.htm