One quiet night in the village of Samudrapur, the brother and sister were sound asleep in their humble abode. The darkness was all around them, the only sounds were the chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves outside. Little did they know that danger was lurking in the shadows.


In the dead of the night, a venomous Krait slithered into their home and bit them both. The siblings didn’t even feel the bite – it was painless and went unnoticed. But a few hours later, the effects of the venom began to show. They developed droopy eyes and began to struggle with their breathing. The symptoms were classic for a Krait bite – a snake notorious for hunting at night and delivering venom that can cause respiratory failure and paralysis.

In night, our hospital was bustling with activity. The emergency and ICU departments were filled with patients, and the residents were working tirelessly to provide the best care possible. When the brother and sister were brought in, the residents immediately took their histories and did an examination. However, they were unable to identify the cause of their symptoms.

It was then that a senior resident was called in to assess the situation. The senior resident recognized the classic symptoms of a Krait bite – droopy eyes and laboured breathing. Knowing that time was of the essence, the resident quickly began treatment, administering anti-venom and neostigmine to counteract the effects of the venom.

It was a race against time, as anti-snake venom and neostigmine are only effective if administered before the onset of symptoms. But the residents worked tirelessly to provide the best care to the siblings, monitoring their vital signs and adjusting their treatment as necessary. The brother had to be intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation for a few days, but our efforts paid off in the end. Both siblings survived the ordeal and were eventually discharged from the hospital, bringing immense relief to their loved ones.

The experience had taught the residents a valuable lesson – that in emergency situations, it’s important to act quickly and decisively. And while they may not always have all the answers, they can rely on their training and experience to provide the best possible care to their patients. As the residents looked back on that fateful night, they felt a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that they had made a difference in the lives of their patients.

Reflecting on the incident and the hard work of the residents, I felt inspired to write about Krait – the deadly snake that can be deadly. And so, I channelled my feelings into a poem, which I shared on social media. On November 5, 2022, I posted it on Twitter and Facebook, hoping to spread awareness about this dangerous creature and the importance of seeking prompt medical care in case of a snakebite.