Elapidae (Coral Snakes)

Background

• All coral snakes are brightly colored with black, red, and yellow rings
  • Red and yellow rings touch in coral snakes, but are separated in nonpoisonous mimics
    • "Red touch yellow, kills a fellow; red touch black, venom lack"

Coral snake.

Clinical Features

1. Local injury is often minimal
2. Venom effects may develop hours after a bite

Treatment

1. Antivenom
   1. Give 3-5 vials of Antivenin to ALL pts who have definitely been bitten
      1. It may not be possible to prevent further effects or reverse effects once they develop
      2. Additional doses of antivenom are reserved for cases in which symptoms/signs appear
2. Monitor for respiratory respiratory failure

Disposition

• Admit all pts (even if initially symptom free)

Source

Tintinalli

See Also

• Snake bites