title: [Management of Snakebites in Sub-Saharan Africa].
abstract: Although common in sub-Saharan Africa, snakebites remain a neglected topic. The paper reviews some diagnostic and therapeutic rules for this medical and surgical emergency that occurs mainly in remote health centers. Intravenous administration of polyvalent antivenom is the preferred treatment in any proven envenomation. Antivenom should be associated with symptomatic treatment. Patient surveillance is well codified and the management of complications is specified.
authors.affiliation: UMR 216, Mère et enfant face aux infections tropicales, Institut de recherche pour le developpement (IRD), 08 BP 841, Cotonou, Bénin.
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chippaux
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Africa; antivenom; envenomation; snakebite; treatment