Signs of a snake bite are not always visible. In some cases, the person may not have felt anything. Symptoms may not appear for an hour or more after the person has been bitten.
In children, signs and symptoms may appear within minutes.
Depending on the type of snake, signs and symptoms may include some or all of the following:
- Immediate or delayed pain at the bite site
- Paired fang marks, but often only a single mark or a scratch mark may be present. Marks or scratches may bleed
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Headache, drowsiness, dizziness or faintness
- Double or blurred vision, drooping of the eyelids
- Voice changes, trouble speaking or swallowing
- Pain or tightness in the throat, chest or abdomen
- Difficulty breathing
