Snake Bite Victim Succumbs After Being Wrongly Treated for a Stroke

A NSW woman succumbed to a snake bite due to misdiagnosis after she was treated for a stroke instead of a snake bite.

This 59 year old woman was found by her husband in the garden where she had collapsed after the bite.

She was treated by paramedics for half an hour and later rushed to John Hunter Hospital, where her symptoms were thought to be that of a stroke.

When she did not respond to treatment, doctors discovered two puncture marks on her ankle. By then, it was too late and the woman could not survive.

Toxicology researcher Geoff Isbister said "The venom stops their blood clotting and people suffer haemorrhaging, often in the head, or anywhere. Last season we had six deaths across Australia, which is the worst recorded season."



Source: Medindia