Published: November 3, 2015 – 4:11PM
A Fremantle woman bitten by a tiger snake has suffered a rare delayed reaction after not being given anti-venom by hospital staff following the bite.
Fremantle resident Jorji Harper, a teacher’s aide at the Department of Education and Training, was bitten on the leg at Yellagonga Regional Park in Kingsley last month.
St John Ambulance transported the woman, in her 20s, to Joondalup Health Campus from the park on October 1.
She was treated at the hospital, but not with anti-venom, as this was not customary in that clinical situation.
But after she was released the following day she began to suffer from debilitating side effects, she told ABC online.
Her ankle became swollen, her pain worsened, her kidneys were affected and she lost muscle mass. She was unable to work or study and has been in and out of Fiona Stanley Hospital.
“I wasn’t able to get out of bed myself or lift my head up or move my arms above a certain height,” she told ABC Online.
Joondalup Health Campus said a patient admitted with snake bite last month had received treatment according to hospital protocol.
ABC Online reported that Ms Harper is still undergoing tests and has agreed to be used as a case study.
The dangerously venomous tiger snake is common in vegetation around wetlands, but can also be found well away from water, according to the Department of Parks and Wildlife website.
They are seen throughout the year sunning themselves in open areas and are also active at night when the weather is warm.
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