Comments on: Canadian man recovering after snakebite left him weeping blood

By: Reve Orange

Reve Orange — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:07:00 +0000

The key to this story is in this line “He said the man didn’t even know a snake had bitten him so the medical team had its work cut out for it in making the diagnosis.” Was he drunk, stoned??? How can you not know you were bitten by a snake? And any hospital, clinic or pharmacist in Costa Rica could diagnosis a snake bite. And they all have the anti-venom.

By: georgechapogas

georgechapogas — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:29:00 +0000

where???????????????????????????????????????

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:27:00 +0000

Yea – unless you know what the cause of your ailment is, I find that the diagnostics skills to lack in CR

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:26:00 +0000

Read the article. He didn’t know that he had even been bitten by a snake.

By: Aitor Xaranga

Aitor Xaranga — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:57:00 +0000

The decision to fly back home could have killed him or impaired his kidneys for life. All regional hospitals have anti-venom, mostly developed locally and in Brazil. Dr. Picado in the early part of last century was one of the leading investigators on anti-venom treatments in the world and many of his findings are reflected in todays serums.
CR is not only about beaches and jungles…

By: Siegfried Gust

Siegfried Gust — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:47:00 +0000

I don’t know how you get bit by a pit viper, most likely a terciopelo, and not know it. Had he know, treatment would have been administered here in Costa Rica without problems. They keep anti-venom in supply in the hospital in Upala because of how often people get bit, and I imagine in other hospitals as well. I have a hard time believing the language barrier was the problem, as all doctors I’ve met could understand and speak rudimentary English.

By: Gene Warneke

Gene Warneke — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:22:00 +0000

Yes, the CAJA has anti-venom for the fer-de-lance and other venomous snakes. In Costa Rica, it’s NOT advisable to walk at night along streams and beach areas where rivers empty into the ocean. These are areas where venomous snakes hang out at night seeking amphibian prey. I know this from first-hand experiences.

By: MJ

MJ — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:15:00 +0000

I would assume they have the anti venom since it is the most common venomous bite in CR. However….why did the medical staff not recognize the symptoms since it is so common??

By: disgusted

disgusted — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:22:00 +0000

Lucky he was able to survive. What beach area. And does the Caja or any other hospitals here have the anti venom??