Venom is a harmful liquid that some snakes and other animals make in their bodies. When a venomous snake bites someone, it injects venom into the skin. Venom attaches to areas on cells inside the body and makes changes to them. This can make the victim feel pain, swell up, bleed, and get very sick.

Your child was treated in the hospital for a venomous snake bite. The wound was cleaned well and your child may have been given IV (intravenous or into a vein) antivenom. Antivenom prevents the venom from attaching to cells and harming the body.

• Your child may feel tired for a few days. Let them rest as needed.
• If the bite area is swollen, raise it by propping it on pillows when your child is sitting or lying down.
• For pain, you can give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand). Don't give your child ibuprofen or aspirin, which can increase the risk of bleeding.
• Wash the bite daily with soap and water to keep it clean. Follow your health care provider's instructions about covering the area with a bandage.
• Your child will need follow-up visits with your health care provider and possibly blood tests to make sure no problems develop. Go to all follow-up visits as directed.
• Your child may be at a higher risk of bleeding for a few weeks while recovering from a bite from a venomous snake. They should not visit the dentist, have nonemergency surgery, or play contact sports until your health care provider says it's OK.

Your child:

• Has a nosebleed
• Has bleeding in the mouth when brushing their teeth
• Has a heavier period than usual (for females)
• Bruises easily
• Has swelling that gets worse, that doesn't go down when you prop up the bite area, or that isn't gone within a week 
• Has fever or signs of infection around the bite, including redness, increased pain, swelling, or pus draining from the bite
• Was given antivenom and has a rash, fever, muscle pain, or stiff or swollen joints, which can be a late reaction to antivenom and can happen a few weeks after getting it
• Has any other symptoms that worry you

Your child:

• Has bloody poop or vomit
• Has bleeding around the bite area or anywhere else that doesn't stop after applying pressure for 5 minutes
• Is vomiting
• Has dark or tea-colored urine (pee)

What is venom? Venom is the harmful substance that some animals inject into another animal (or person) by biting or stinging them. They do this to protect themselves or to catch prey. In the United States, only a few snakes make venom, including rattlesnakes, cottonmouths (also called water moccasins), copperheads, and coral snakes. Sometimes a venomous snake will bite without injecting venom.

What is antivenom? It's a liquid made from the antibodies (special proteins that are part of the immune system) of animals that have been exposed to small amounts of snake venom. When the antivenom is injected into someone who has been bitten by a venomous snake, the antibodies attach to the venom toxins and prevent them from harming the body. 

What problems can a venomous snakebite cause? Venomous snakebites can cause problems that range from mild (skin wound or infection) to life-threatening (problems with the nervous system; the heart, lungs, and kidneys; blood clotting; and more).