The bite of the common krait may initially go unrecognized. The sooner that the patient is treated appropriately the better the survival. Bawaskar et al reported clinical findings that can help to identify a victim prior to the onset of neuroparalysis. The authors are from Bawaskar Hospital and Topiwala Medical College in India.
Snake species: Bungarus caeruleus (common krait)
Risk factor: sleeping on the floor without a mosquito net in a rural residence in the tropics
Initial signs and symptoms - early morning onset of:
(1) abdominal colic
(2) vomiting
(3) sweating
(4) excessive salivation
(5) chest pain
Initial misdiagnosis is common, further resulting in a delay in the administration of anti-venom.
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