What would a 25-year-old, relatively healthy patient who was bitten by a black widow spider most likely receive as treatment?

What would a 25-year-old, relatively healthy patient who was bitten by a black widow spider most likely receive as treatment?

• A. Antivenom
• B. Pain relief
• C. Antibiotics
• D. Muscle Relaxants

Answer: (B)

Black widow venom mainly causes painful muscle cramps and generalized pain by altering nerve signaling. In a healthy young adult with typical symptoms, the best and most common initial treatment is pain relief using analgesics (such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen; opioids may be used if pain is severe). Antibiotics aren’t helpful because this is envenomation, not an infection. Antivenom is available but reserved for severe, life-threatening symptoms or patients at higher risk, due to the risk of allergic reactions. Muscle relaxants can be used for cramps, but they’re not the primary treatment. So, relieving pain is the most likely treatment.

Black widow venom mainly causes painful muscle cramps and generalized pain by altering nerve signaling. In a healthy young adult with typical symptoms, the best and most common initial treatment is pain relief using analgesics (such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen; opioids may be used if pain is severe). Antibiotics aren’t helpful because this is envenomation, not an infection. Antivenom is available but reserved for severe, life-threatening symptoms or patients at higher risk, due to the risk of allergic reactions. Muscle relaxants can be used for cramps, but they’re not the primary treatment. So, relieving pain is the most likely treatment.