The Standard Wednesday Life Magazine
Date: 30.09.2015
Page 5.
Article size: 432 cm2
ColumnCM: 96.0
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Managing deadly
scorpion stings
In Turkana County, scorpion stings are a common
occurrence and medics have asked residents to
always seek immediate medical attention
alaria, cholera and pneu­ 2:30am but I awakened abruptly af­ calming the patient will keep it from
monia are opportunistic ter feeling a sting on my leg followed reaching the heart quickly. Also, im­
diseases that are known to
mobilise the affected part below the
affect certain regions in
Kenya more than others.
However, this is not the challenge
facing medics in the backwaters of
Lodwar, Turkana County. Here, the
scorpion is king.
A survey conducted in the region
by Real Medicine Foundation, and
released on September 2014, listed
scorpion stings on the list of the five
most common health problems ob­
served within the region. The rest
were malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea
and fractures.
by shooting pain. Having lived in the
heart level to further delay absorp­
area, I knew every sting should im­
tion," he says.
mediately be investigated by medics
Once at the hospital, anti­venom
and so I rushed to Lodwar District
Hospital."
is administered and sometimes the
patient is hospitalised for 72 hours
Lusweti could barely walk and he for observation, with antihistamines
limped all the way to hospital where and steroids administered in cases of
medics confirmed he had been bit­ allergic reactions to the anti­venom.
ten by a scorpion. Because he sought
medical attention immediately,
Lusweti was treated and discharged.
"In this region when it rains, scor­ THE CAUSE: A barb or stinger that
pions seek refuge in houses. Also, be­ contains a protein toxin (also termed
cause they are light, the wind easily venom). The type of toxin released
Kacts
County Referral Hospital Medical blows them around and I think that's differs from species to species and is
Superintendent Gilchrist Lokoel, how the scorpion ended up in my likely to have evolved to target the
says scorpion stings are a daily oc­ house. I am however, grateful that specific prey and predators of the
particular scorpion species.
currence in the region with the hos­ the sting was not fatal," he says.
According to Dr Lokoel, the po­ Only about 25 to 40 of the approximate
pital recording more than one hun­
dred cases in some months.
tency of the sting is dependent on 2,000 species of scorpions have toxins
"Scorpions are everywhere various factors including how many or venoms that are dangerous to
during stormy and windy seasons. times an individual has been stung, humans.
We receive a minimum of two cases the scorpion species and size.
THE SYMPTOMS: In general, the sting
"Scorpions possess venom which usually causes discomfort that slowly
every day and up to fifteen cases
is neurotoxic in nature. In mild cas­ decreases over time. The discomfort,
during the windy season," he says.
Because a bite from this arachnid es, the sting will be accompanied by described below, usually ranges from
can sometimes be fatal, Dr Lokoel some pain, numbness, tingling and moderate to severe.
and fellow medics have taken it up­
swelling while in severe cases the pa­ In mild cases, the person has a painful,
on themselves to keep residents
tient will vomit, can even go into a tingling, burning or numbing sensation
aware that they should seek imme­
coma and men can get a prolonged at the sting site.
diate attention when they are stung.
erection ­ a condition known as pri­ When it is severe, there will be
Having this information was a
widespread numbness, difficulty
apism," he says.
lifesaver for Joseph Lusweti, who de­
Keeping a person calm immedi­ swallowing, a thick tongue, blurred
spite living in Lodwar town, had on­ ately after the sting occurs is key. vision, roving eye movements, seizures,
ly heard horror stories of the scorpi­
Lokoel saying this regulates blood salivation, and difficulty breathing.
on bite but had never been bitten.
These symptoms constitute a medical
pressure and heart rate.
This however, changed recently.
"First aid should focus on keep­ emergency and could be fatal.
"I was sound asleep at about
ing the venom from spreading and Source: www.emedicinehealth.com
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
The Standard Wednesday Life Magazine
Date: 30.09.2015
Page 5.
Article size: 432 cm2
ColumnCM: 96.0
AVE: 0.0
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya