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Coral snakes are found in tropical regions of North
America and are often confused with nonpoisonous (nonvenomous) milk snakes because they look
A coral snake can be up to 3 ft (1 m) long and has:
At first, mild pain may be the only symptom of a coral snake bite. Within 90 minutes, a feeling of weakness or numbness may
occur in the bitten extremity.
Other symptoms may appear up to
12 to 24 hours after a bite. Symptoms may include:
Symptoms that occur less often include double
vision, trouble breathing, sweating, muscle aches, and
confusion. In rare cases, a person may die from a coral snake
If you think you have been bitten by a coral snake, call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
June 6, 2012
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Sean P. Bush, MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine, Envenomation Specialist
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