Snake bite!
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23979)
United Kingdom
October 2, 2019 11:27am CST
I am absolutely phobic about Snakes and after reading an article by AmberLynn which took me to another page via a link I got caught up reading a couple of articles which caught my attention.
The article was about snake bites. Apparently there are between 7-8000 snake bites in the USA every year. Oh lord that number freaked me out but what I also learnt was the cost to the patient or their insurance firm is astronomical.
I read that the cost to make a vial of Antivenom was around $14 dollars which is then sold onto the hospitals at a rate of $2300 per vial. The hospital then adds on 70% in charges so it can cost as much as $140, 000 to treat someone with Anti venom in the USA. The price can be negotiated downwards by individuals or the insurance company,.
In India in contrast approximately 50-80,000 deaths per year from snake bite although these are estimates because of poor record keeping and lack of information gathering. Many outlying villages are unable to get people to hospital in time for treatment.
The cost of Antivenom in India is around $5 a vial although some work is in progress for a multi use antivenom which is only around $1.5 dollars. This new antivenom is dehydrated which can be stored anywhere without refrigeration and is easy to use once rehydrated.
The world health organisation estimates there are over 5 million snake bites per year around the world of this number around and between 81,000 and 135,000 deaths per year.
A few years ago when I visited Canada I said to friends I have to see how many snakes there are in Canada. They told me don't be so stupid there are no snakes there it is far too cold. The first day in Canada I looked out of the window of the bus we were on and there was a snake. I subsequently learnt there were in fact 26 species of snake there 4 of which are venomous!
I know someone who will be enthralled to read this post won't you DianneN @DianneN
Have you ever known someone who has been bitten by a snake. I know of two people.
19 people like this
19 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
2 Oct 19
lots 'f rip-offs here'n the u.s. regardin' healthcare 'n treatments. sadly the laws're set to protect the providers, not the patients with need. yepperz, 've known a few who've been bitten by snakes. some e'en bitten by their "pet" snakes.
kind'a gigglin' o'er there bein' no snakes'n canada - they say the same 'bout alaska. i recall one day ('bout 1979?) drivin' the long stretch 'nto the nearest town (30 miles) 'n one slitherin' long the side 'f the road. a 12' long python! obviously someones "pet" they'd either turned loose 'r 'd 'scaped. took a couple weeks fer such to be caught. the local zoo 'twas most happy to've such added to their 'xhibits.
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
4 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 yes sir, 't the detriment 'f the critters that reside there naturally. the one'n alaska 'twas e'en more cruel, such would'a not survive the harsh winters back'n the day. 'twas quite common fer 't to be -40 (f), the coldest whilst i 'twas there 'twas -70(f).
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
That is just cruel I hear lots of so called animal lovers release their snakes when they can no longer look after them. There are now cobras pythons and green Mamba in the wild in Florida!
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
2 Oct 19
That is good and I hope you never encounter one!
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
2 Oct 19
@just4him I am going to have to take this picture down I can't stand it coming back to the post. That is how bad I am Valerie.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 I hope not too. The closest I've come to a snake was at the county fair. My oldest had one hung around his neck. The trainer owner was standing beside him. It wasn't venomous, but it was huge. I stood quite a way from him. I did take a picture of him with it. I'll need to find it.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
2 Oct 19
i am wracking my brain and can only think of one person who was bitten. The snake was non-venomous. Honestly, I do not care whether the snake is non-venomous or not, I am not a fan of them.
My friend is in a group on facebook dedicated to learning about snakes so that she can differentiate between them. I'll defer to her knowledge on the subject.
It isn't just the antivenom that is expensive here. An Epipen shot can be quite expensive too as well as insulin.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
2 Oct 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum OH lord I would have been out of there like a shot.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
2 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 Had it been up to me, I certainly would have. This happened over 20 years ago on a school trip.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
3 Oct 19
Oh Lord, I am like you I am phobic about snakes, I cannot even look at them in pictures. The anti snake bite kit costs the equivalent of 12$ here. We have vipers that are poisonous, if you want to go picking mushrooms it's better to bring the kit with you. I stay home and buy the mushrooms.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
4 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 We have tourists from Italy who come to pick up the porcini mushrooms in the woods. I am scared by snakes. I have the kit at home... just in case. I have seen two snakes in our garden, I know they are not dangerous and useful, but I run inside like a rocket when i see one.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
I am afraid I am like you Anna. I buy mushrooms although mushroom collecting is not a big thing here unlike on the continent!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
@LadyDuck I do not blame you Anna. My house is in the town so there would be no chance of seeing one I hope!
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (14783)
• Ireland
2 Oct 19
@Garymarsh6 It's been weeks since I've thought about serpents and now you've gone and spoiled it!! I've only been bitten once by a tiny little s=house snake that I was in bed with - it snuck in during the night. But I've had quite a few close calls with big snakes and have regular nightmares about it. However I have also kissed a snake belonging to a snake charmer in Delhi - long story. My phobia is not strictly a phobia however since the danger is very real - they bite. If there are any on TV I have to keep my eye on them in case they get out of the TV into the living room You can never be too careful about snakes. I also never sit on any toilet anywhere without checking inside the toilet first just to be sure.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (14783)
• Ireland
4 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 I had no problem with them growing up in the bush in Africa but after some bad experiences in India I have become a gibberish mess at the thought. Every time I get the urge to return to my beloved India I chicken out, such is the fear.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
@xFiacre I can understand that and also understand that living in Ireland must be bliss where snakes are concerned! 
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
You are the same as me then! Apparently a neighbour next to me has a snake not that I have ever seen it I would not even go in their house! I have to admit I would never use the downstairs bathroom you never know! I have to leave the room if it is on the television!
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
2 Oct 19
My husband was bitten one time (non poisonious), but has had several close calls with some deadly snakes. I hate every snake.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
3 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 We live in the country in the southeastern part of the US on the Atlantic coast and yes, we do have lots of snakes. My husband hunts and takes care of our property which includes a lot of woods, so he sees lots of them.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
@1creekgirl Note to self.......do not visit you!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
2 Oct 19
Ooh good grief I take it you live near snake habitats. I know my friends took me to a place in the mountains but did not tell me it was infested by rattle snakes. IT was only when his son in law came and mentioned them. I nearly threw up there and then when he told me! LOL
1 person likes this
@topffer (42155)
• France
2 Oct 19
I just had a look. We have 300 to 500 persons bitten every year by vipers. Since 2017 the antivenom comes from... UK, where there is not a viper, except perhaps in zoos. The cost of antivenom depends of the snake. It can be bought in pharmacies for the 2 venomous snakes we have in France, but I cannot manage to find the price, I suspect that you do not order it online when you need it
.
.1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
We do have a venomous snake here it is called an Adder which is from the viper family of snakes. Antivenom is available in all Accident and emergency centres. It is usually only fatal for the elderly and children.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42155)
• France
4 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 Vipers are usually not fatal for adults, but the antivenom always helps to suffer less. Looking at the adder. Yes, I know this one, but I have not seen one since several years, they are not common in my area.
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
I had put a photo on this article Dianne but freaked me too much coming back to it so I took it down. I knew you would find this article just as revolting as me!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
7 Oct 19
In the snake capital of the world I would be petrified! I hope I never see one when I come to Australia!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 When you come to visit me, I'll personally scour the place and remove all snakes!!
@nela13 (59367)
• Portugal
12 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 There are some snakes in my area but most of them aren't venomous but I don't want them near me.
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
OH lord poor you! I can not stand them !
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
3 Oct 19
Snakes are interesting, medical costs in the US, are well crazy.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
Hmm interesting. That in itself is an interesting perspective! I am too wimpy for them!
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
Very much so. So note to self make sure you have insurance when visiting the USA!
1 person likes this
@samysotelo18 (7743)
• Mexico
4 Oct 19
@garymarsh6 Yes I usually get those temporary ones when i go visit, it's important
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
3 Oct 19
Wow !It costs $140, 000 to treat someone with Anti venom !The poor who get snake bites seem to have no choice but to wait for the Grim Reaper.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct 19
Some have to sell their homes if they are treated.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
5 Oct 19
I have never known anyone to be bitten by a snake. Thats sort of funny about those Canadians telling you no snakes and then...
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
14 Oct 19
My husband just killed a snake on Saturday. I'm petrified of them.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Oct 19
I have only been bitten by human snakes.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
2 Oct 19
I hope they did not break the skin and leave marks!
1 person likes this
@WriterRuth (268)
• Waialua, Hawaii
12 Oct 19
Wow, something is wrong with the cost of snake venom in the US.
I have run across 3 rattlesnakes in my life so far as well as one really big snake (boa constricter?) which I wondered if it was a pet escaped from its owner. It was long enough to easily stretch across a dirt road and it's circumference was several inches wide.
The rattlers I saw were a side winder in the dessert, a baby curled up on a hiking trail in the mountains which looked very much like a flat stone until closer examination, and another is some bushes (in the same mountain area) which I did not see but heard loud and clear. Thank God I have never been bitten. I recall leaning over to look at some plants and then hearing the loud rattle (it was a planter so there was a short wall between me and my unseen enemy) I immediately jumped back when I heard it. Kinda nice for it to give me a warning rather than simply strike...
