For sea-snake bites, special antivenoms are available. Anti-venom acts only against circulating toxin, not toxin fixed to tissue. Therefore, specific measures have to be taken. In case of vasculotoxic signs and symptoms, fibrinogen along with heparin may be given, but with extreme caution and constant monitoring, as heparin can intensify bleeding. Take supportive measures These include blood or plasma transfusion to combat shock, mechanical respiration to combat respiratory distress, antibiotics to prevent secondary infection.
Neuromuscular paralysis is the most dreadful complication of snake bite.
It may occur within 15 minutes but may be delayed for several hours. To tackle hypersensitivity reactions to antivenom-steroids, adrenaline and antihistamines may be given. A patient bitten by a cobra or krait if not dead in 2 hours will probably recover rapidly. A patient bitten by a viper is in danger for a rnuch longer time. Snake venoms, are complex mixtures of enzymatic proteins and different toxins.