Ask the Doctor

Snakes and their poisons

Published by

I have been hearing that it is not all snakes that are poisonous. How true is this? What should I do if I am bitten by a snake?

Solomon (by SMS)

 

Yes, it is true. There are more than 3,000 species of snakes on the planet. Out of these, about 600 species are venomous, and only about 200—seven percent—are able to kill or significantly wound a human. If you are bitten by a snake, it’s important for you to remain calm, immobilise the bite area and remove jewellery or tight clothing in case of swelling in the affected limbs. Emergency medical care should be obtained as soon as possible.

Recent Posts

Cultural preservation key to national development — Gani Adams, others

Iba Adams stressed the need to respect traditional practices and beliefs, saying that the society…

12 minutes ago

Adeleke must start from grassroots, can’t shortcut into APC — Omisore

"If he must join us, he has to start from the grassroots."

44 minutes ago

Top 10 countries worldwide with highest petrol prices in July 2025

High fuel prices are a major issue in many countries, mostly because of high...

57 minutes ago

Senegal, Zimbabwe, eight other African countries with highest petrol prices in July 2025

An increase in fuel prices often concerns consumers and governments across many African countries, as…

1 hour ago

‘Please come’, Mayor Sadiq Khan begs Nigerians to visit London

He described Lagos as part of the world’s fastest-growing tech cluster and noted its growing…

2 hours ago

No more Buhari effect, politicians must earn votes — ADC’s Lukman

"What we must learn, most especially in the Coalition is that we don’t have somebody…

2 hours ago

Welcome

Install

This website uses cookies.