Can a Cottonmouth Kill You
A cottonmouth bite can be medically serious, but fatalities are rare with proper treatment. The snake delivers hemotoxic venom that can damage tissue and blood cells. Without medical care, severe envenomation can lead to complications that may become life-threatening.
Cottonmouth Venom and Symptoms
Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, nausea, and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, systemic effects such as coagulopathy or organ stress can occur. Most deaths happen when treatment is delayed or the victim has other health risks.
What to Do After a Bite
Seek emergency medical help immediately. Keep the affected limb still and at or below heart level. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, or try to suck out venom. Antivenom is the standard hospital treatment for serious cottonmouth envenomation.
For more details on venomous snakes and bite response, visit the CDC Venomous Snakes page.
