Table 2 Clinical progression of edema and bleeding for viper envenomations in Benin
Edema | Bleeding | |
|---|---|---|
Stage 1 | Does not extend beyond wrist/ankle | Persistent atraumatic bleeding from the bite wound >1 h |
Stage 2 | Does not extend beyond major joints (elbow/knee) | Bleeding from old cuts and wounds elsewhere on patient |
Stage 3 | Extends beyond major joints | Spontaneous bleeding from healthy mucosa (i.e. gingiva) |
Stage 4 | Reaches but does not extend beyond multiaxial joints (shoulder/hip) | Externalization of internal bleeding (hematemesis, melena, etc.) |
Stage 5 | Extensive edema beyond multiaxial joints | Cerebral, meningeal, intra-abdominal, or retroperitoneal hemorrhage; critical hemorrhagic shock |