Snake bite victim describes ‘excruciating pain’
By Lisa Crane
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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — We’ve entered snake season in Alabama. Snakes of all kinds bite, but in our state, you’ll find snakes that can cause some of the most dangerous venomous bites in the country.
There are about 50 different species in Alabama, and most of us will walk by one, even step over one, without even realizing it. Out of all those species, there are only a few that are venomous, and now and then, people here are bitten. We’ve seen a few cases of that already this year.
The copperhead at the Birmingham Zoo is almost invisible in its enclosure. Its camouflage makes them practically invisible. Andy Scott is the Reptile Manager at the zoo. He said, “Copperheads are the most common bites. And that’s kind of the problem with them. Instead of acting big and scary like a rattlesnake does. Copperheads warning, unfortunately, is usually just to bite you.”
Donna Lowery from Trussville found that out the hard way. In late April, Lowery stepped one foot out of her door and was immediately bitten by a copperhead. She never even saw it. She said, “As soon as the snake bit me, the burning sensation, like I said, I just knew it’s a snake. And then, immediately, it started swelling up, turning blue. And then by the time I got to the hospital, it was very large.”
She did the right thing and got help quickly. Scott said 99% of snake bites are not deadly, just stay calm and get to a hospital. He added, “You want to remove anything restrictive like jewelry, rings that would, that would swell because your body’s going to swell. And call 911.”
Lowery said it’s been an excruciating ordeal. After receiving four vials of anti-venom and spending a night at UAB Hospital, she was released. But she’s not fully recovered- physically or emotionally. She added, “It was so traumatic. I really do think I went into shock. And the other thing about the snake for me is the PTSD is so real. Like when I pull up at home, even in the daytime, but I do not go outside at night. Now, before I go outside, I’m looking out my door, opening the door, I’m looking everywhere.”
Experts say don’t try to catch or kill a snake that bites you, as that increases the risk of being bitten again. If you can, take a picture of it, so they can identify it at the hospital. That’s important because if it’s not one of those few venomous snakes, you won’t need anti-venom, which can cost up to $10,000 a dose. The good news is that, in most cases, health insurance covers that cost.
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