Max is bitten by a rattlesnake while on a camping trip His f

Max is bitten by a rattlesnake while on a camping trip. His friends immediately apply ice packs to the bitten area to slow the spread of the protein-based toxin; they then rush him to an emergency facility. What treatment would be given and why?

Solution

Max should be immediately passively immunized with rattlesnake specific antivenin (immune serum). Antivenins often possess the risk of anaphylaxis. Therefore, a co-administration of epinephrine is also suggested.

Passive immunization is indicated because it immediately neutralizes the toxin else the venom (such as from highly venomous rattlesnakes) may kill the person by the time active immunity is established.

Passive immunity is short-lived and the antibodies will naturally get degraded within the body leaving behind no immunologic memory as B cells are not activated.