The cnidocytes of each species ejects a different set of barbed structures covered with its own species-specific venom. A mild reaction we might have to one species does not mean that we cannot be seriously hurt by a different species. Likewise, antivenom for one species does not necessarily work on another. As we celebrate a new year and look back on our awesome technological achievements, it seems a good time to be reminded that being touched by a certain blob of marine jelly can leave us dead in minutes, even with emergency medical care. It has killed so many people with such ferocity, it is claimed to be the most venomous animal in the world.
Breathing stops within minutes.
Survivors report that the pain is severe and burning, and the blistering and tissue-death that occurs leave permanent scars. Chironex fleckeri Antivenom specific for C. fleckeri is available, and vinegar is commonly used on all jellyfish stings, but the efficacy of these treatments is dubious. Fatal Physalia stings have been reported recently from North Carolina and Florida. This is a common jellyfish in open oceans and not usually associated with deaths, but specimens larger than 1m in diameter have been reported as the cause of some deaths off the coast of China. Being about a half an inch across and transparent, they are virtually invisible.