A woman in Yunnan, China was hospitalised after suffering poisoning when she attempted to suck venom from her husband’s snakebite wound, a move she made after he was bitten by a cobra while working on a farm.
The incident reportedly took place in Yuanyang County, where the man was attacked on his finger by the venomous snake during agricultural work. In a state of panic, his wife tried to remove the venom from the wound using her mouth, based on methods she had seen in television dramas.
Shortly after the attempt, she began experiencing numbness in her mouth, tongue, face, and limbs. Her condition worsened the following day, prompting both husband and wife to seek urgent medical attention.
Doctors confirmed that both were treated with anti-venom injections and supportive care before their conditions stabilised after several days in hospital.
Medical experts have since warned that attempting to suck out snake venom is dangerous and ineffective, as toxins can enter the bloodstream rapidly through oral tissues.
They also stressed that traditional methods such as cutting the wound, sucking out venom, or applying ice or heat are not recommended, as they may worsen the victim’s condition.
Instead, authorities advised that snakebite victims should remain still and seek immediate emergency treatment to slow the spread of venom.
The unusual case has gone viral on Chinese social media, with many users highlighting it as a reminder that scenes from television dramas should not be used as medical guidance in real-life emergencies.
