title: The clinical manifestations, outcome and identification of jellyfish stings in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
abstract: We carried out a descriptive study over one year on 62 fishermen stung by jellyfish while fishing. Most were aged under 60 years. The timing of the sting was mostly between midnight and 4am (32%). Clinical symptoms were mainly localised pain and burning (80%), itching (67%) and shortness of breath (42%). Almost all patients received antihistamines (97%) and steroids (87%). None of them needed intensive care; they needed only 1-2 days in hospital. Jellyfish identified in fishing nets were Catostylus mosaicus, Cynea capillata and moon jellyfish.
authors.affiliation: 1 Consultant Physician, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Vathulan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sujanitha
authors.affiliation: 1 Consultant Physician, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Sivapalan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sivansuthan
authors.affiliation: 2 Senior Lecturer Grade II, Department of Zoology, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: W Venkatesh
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Luckshman
authors.affiliation: 3 Senior Lecturer, Department of Zoology, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Rajendramani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gnaneswaran
authors.affiliation: 4 Registrar - General Medicine, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Thangarajaha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jeyakanth
authors.affiliation: 4 Registrar - General Medicine, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Upala
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gunarathna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003063:Cnidaria; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013188:Sri Lanka; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003064:Cnidarian Venoms; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006633:Histamine Antagonists
keywords: Catostylus mosaicus; Cyanea capillata; jellyfish; marine sting