rattlesnake bite

rattlesnake bite A poisonous bite from a member of the pit viper family. All rattlesnakes are venomous and secrete poisonous venom, and they are the main culprit in deaths from snakebites in the US. Emergency treatment is essential: With proper care, rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal. The affected body part should be kept immobile and below the level of the heart, and the bite victim should be taken to the nearest hospital. A tourniquet or bandage should not be used, and no one should attempt to suction out the wound by mouth. Treatment includes use of antivenom and care for the puncture wound itself and any symptoms that emerge, such as respiratory distress. See also snakebite.