Arizona researchers find antivenin speeds recovery from scorpion stings
MESA, Ariz. -- As the weather warms and evening temperatures stay at 70 or higher, scorpions get more active, says Craig Levy, program manager of the vector-borne disease program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Vector-borne diseases are those transmitted by creatures such as insects and spiders.
Experts say more than 8,000 people are stung by scorpions each year in Arizona.
Gilbert Hospital is participating in an antivenin study. It's the sixth year of the study, being conducted by the University of Arizona's Venom Immunochemistry, Pharmacology, and Emergency Response Institute, or VIPER.
The antivenin is given to patients who show the signs and symptoms of toxicity, said Dr. Kimberly Warren, the hospital's pharmacy director.
"Most of the adults don't have the symptoms like the children generally do. But it can be fatal. It depends on the severity of the sting or if there are multiple stings," Warren said.
She said signs of trouble for someone stung by a scorpion include eye rolling, limb twitching or thrashing, increased secretions or respiratory distress.
"With the antivenin, generally within 30 minutes of having it administered the symptoms start to resolve," Warren said.
Dr. Imad Haddad, medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit at Mesa's Cardon Children's Medical Center, said the emergency room started seeing an increase in scorpion stings about a month ago. Many of the patients are younger than 2.
"Because of their size, the venom attacks them the most," Haddad said.
In the past, the hospital would give patients medication to sedate them. In some cases, children were put on a respirator because they were unable to handle the secretions created by a scorpion's toxins.
"However, since we've started the antivenin we discharge them two to three hours after entering the ER," Haddad said.
He said several Banner Health locations are also participating in the UA antivenin study, which is being conducted at 27 Arizona hospitals.
