By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Copperhead Snakebites
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wilderness Medicine > Copperhead Snakebites
Wilderness Medicine

Copperhead Snakebites

CWSonline
CWSonline
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

By Paul Auerbach, M.D.

By Paul Auerbach, M.D.

The journal Annals of Emergency Medicine publishes abstracts each year of presentations delivered at the American College of Emergency Physicians Annual Scientific Assembly, which in 2009 was held on Boston. The reference is Annals of Emergency Medicine Volume 54, Number 3, September 2009. There were a few abstracts related to outdoor medicine. Two of these were related to copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) snakebites.

The first abstract, by BW Anderson et al, was entitled “Coagulopathy in Pediatric Copperhead Snakebites.” In this study, the investigators sought to determine the incidence of coagulopathy (bleeding disorder in which blood clotting is altered, generally manifested by increased propensity to bleed) in copperhead bites affecting children. This study was done by reviewing charts of children bitten by venomous snakes and treated at St. Louis Children’s Hospital over a 15 year period.

More Read

Trench Foot – A Common Ailment of Hikers
Stop The Bleeding!
Blister Prevention, Management & Treatment
The Top 5 Very Important Reasons To Learn CPR
5 Reasons You Might Want To Try Full Spectrum CBD Oil

The review yielded a final data set with 78 venomous snakebites, of which 18 were positively identified as copperheads, 36 were presumptively identified as copperheads and 24 were unknown. In no case did clinically apparent bleeding complications develop. The conclusion reached by the authors is that “in snakebites known with certainty to be from copperheads, it is safe to forego coagulation testing, thereby saving significant money and patient discomfort.” This may well turn out to be true, but I would like to see this conclusion confirmed by similar retrospective reviews at other medical centers that treat similar numbers of copperhead bites.

The second abstract, by NS Bhakta et al, was entitled “Copperhead (Agkistrodon Contortrix) Snakebites in the United States: 2000-2007.” In this abstract, the authors noted that bites from copperhead snakes are the second most common snake envenomations reported in the U.S. They commented that the effects from these bites, which include coagulation abnormalities, are felt to be less severe than those of other pit viper snakes. They obtained their data by contacting all U.S. poison centers (National Poison Data System). In the 7,748 total copperhead bites reported, there were 1,754 (22.6%) children under the age of 18 years.

Only one death was noted, in a 51 year old male. Only 249 (3.2%) of victims had “major” effects. From this study, the devil is in the details. Unfortunately, there are few details other than the state in which the bites occurred (80% of bites occurred in 10 states: Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Louisiana and West Virginia), and a general index of symptom severity. There are no details about the presence or absence of coagulopathy.

What to make of all this? The general perception that copperhead bites are less severe than those of other pit vipers, namely rattlesnakes, is no doubt true. It is also likely true that coagulopathy (propensity to bleed) is not as much of a problem with copperhead bites. However, the wise clinician will remain vigilant. I recall caring for an elderly copperhead bite victim in Tennessee who developed a coagulopathy that responded favorably (e.g., reverted to a normal situation) to administration of antivenom.

So, I believe that it can happen; however, I am in agreement with the authors that it is far less likely to happen than it would following a rattlesnake bite, and may even justify changing our current recommendations for laboratory testing. Further analyses will hopefully settle this issue. The authors of both studies are to be commended for their work.

More information about snakebites and snake safety is available in the new book, The Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness First Aid, by Clifton Castleman (www.WFAbook.com).

Tagged: comprehensive guide, copperhead, outdoor medicine, Paul Auerbach, safety, snake, snake bite, snakebite, wfabook.com, wilderness medicine

TAGGED:snakebites
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries: What Families Need to Know
Policy & Law
October 10, 2025
Remote Monitoring touchpoints
Remote Monitoring Touchpoints Patients Will Actually Follow
Technology
October 9, 2025
dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025

You Might also Like

Tick Season Has Begun: Are You Prepared?

June 6, 2013

Are You Tasty to a Mosquito?

July 15, 2013
medicine cabinet
Wilderness Medicine

How To Stock Your Baby’s Medicine Cabinet Like A Pro

August 30, 2019
woman with red lipstick smiling
Dental healthWilderness Medicine

7 Ways to Take Better Care of Sensitive Teeth

October 30, 2021
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?