Serum Sickness
Serum sickness, due to the deposition of immune complexes, is a recognized complication of the administration of foreign protein solutions such as antivenoms. The symptoms include fever, rash, arthralgia and flu like illness. Serum sickness following the administration of Australian antivenoms was reported in 3 out of a total of 70 cases in one series, although this is may be an underestimate due to loss to follow up of some patients.
The possibility of serum sickness, and the symptoms and signs should be discussed with the patient prior to discharge, so that it may be recognized and treated early. Corticosteroids should be considered if a large volume of antivenom, such as polyvalent snake antivenom or multiple ampoules of monovalent snake antivenom, is administered, or if the patient has a past history of exposure to equine protein. Both the incidence and severity of delayed serum sickness may be markedly reduced by the administration of prednisolone, 50 mg (adult dose) for five days after the administration of antivenoms.
Last updated: July 2005
