Abordaje de mordedura de serpiente en la consulta de atención primaria de salud.

Abstract

Introduction: The snake bite affects 5 million people per year, of which 2.7 million suffer poisoning, it causes 138 thousand deaths and produces sequelae in 400 thousand survivors. In Ecuador during the last 5 years there were 7188 cases of snake bite; intoxication producing species belong to the family elapidae (neurotoxic) and viperidae (cytotoxic or haemotoxic). Objective: To analyze the management of patients who have suffered a snake bite, through an updated bibliographic review; for proper categorization of clinical stage and respective relevant treatment. Materials and Methods: The articles are reviewed from 2016 to 2020; of which 35 articles from quartile Q1 are included using PubMed as a scientific source. In addition, the guidelines of the WHO and the protocol "Clinical management of poisoning by the bite of poisonous snakes and scorpions" of the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador were used. Conclusion: In Ecuador, Manabí is the province with the highest incidence of snake bites. This means that you should pay special attention to the problems in this area of the country given the consequences caused by the attacks. Correct identification of snake and establishing clinical severity allow the patient to provide efficiently antivenom treatment; considering the administration of subcutaneous epinephrine to reduce the incidence of anaphylactic reactions. The timely action of the health system against attacks, will make a noticeable difference in the outcome of the episode.