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The ASF team works diligently to address the dire need for snakebite support in tropical climates. If you enjoy the articles below, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. Recurring or one-time donations, no matter the amount, equate to life-changing support for snakebite victims and their families. If there are any topics you’d like addressed, please email us. We always love the opportunity to educate.
Snake Antivenoms: Understanding Key Terms
Snakebite is a global health concern, and antivenoms are crucial in mitigating their impact. In this post, we'll unravel the complexities of snakebite antivenoms, breaking down key terms like monovalent, polyvalent, specific, paraspecific, and lyophilized to provide a clearer understanding.
The Push for Exotic Antivenoms in the United States
Historically, the responsibility of stocking antivenom for exotic snake bites has fallen on the shoulders of local zoos. When a keeper is bitten, the zoo would generously donate antivenom to the patient. However, this approach not only strains the zoos, requiring time to replace antivenom and putting keepers at risk, but it also poses a danger to the patient due to the time-consuming logistics of organizing and executing antivenom transportation. In cases of envenomation, every minute is crucial.