In the event of a poisonous bite, the antidote is essential.
The Greek word antidotes came into Latin as antidŏtus . That is the closest etymological antecedent of antidote , a term that refers to the substance that counteracts or compensates for the harmful effects of another .
They cancel or neutralize effects
Antidotes are products that nullify or neutralize the consequences caused by a chemical or poison . Due to their characteristics, they can make the toxin inactive or minimize its incidence, modifying its structure.
There are natural antidotes and synthetic antidotes . Many times the toxin itself is used by humans to synthesize and produce antidotes.
Antisera
Take the case of the so-called antisera . These are biological products that are used as antidotes when someone suffers a bite or poisonous sting from an animal : a scorpion, a scorpion, a viper, etc.
Antidotes are applied with intramuscular injections or intravenously , depending on the type. Its mechanism of action may consist of transforming, blocking or destroying the structure of the toxicant.
It should be noted that there are toxic products that include the name of their antidote on the label. In this way, in the event of accidental poisoning , doctors already know which substance to use for treatment . This usually happens with many insecticides , for example.
snake bites
In the event of a snake bite, it is necessary to provide first aid to the affected person, and then administer an antidote. The first thing we should do is move away from the animal and make sure it cannot attack anyone again while we treat the injured person.
It is very important to immobilize the affected limb, bringing the bite to the level of the heart so that the venom cannot reach it. They also recommend not putting too much pressure on the wound , and removing any accessories (such as watches and rings) or tight clothing. It is not advisable to drink coffee or alcohol, apply a tourniquet, make a cut over the bite, apply ice or, although fiction tells us otherwise, suck out the poison.
If the inoculation of the venom takes place and the person presents the typical symptoms of a bite, then the administration of the antivenin is the fundamental part of this treatment, since it has the necessary antibodies to counteract the toxic effects . Its effectiveness is greater the sooner it is applied. Note that it is also necessary to elevate the limb after having injected the antidote to prevent the area from swelling.
Another meaning
It is also called an antidote to that which serves to avoid suffering a problem or not committing a foul : “Children have to know that reading is a great antidote to boredom” , “The visiting team could never find the antidote against the scorer of the team”. rival team” , “There is no effective antidote to avoid the pain of a loss” .
For many, reading is an antidote to boredom.
In this case we find a figurative meaning of the term, so that it is not a material remedy that we can ingest, nor is it used to treat a health problem, but rather a symbolic obstacle or a challenging situation. Let's look at the three examples just presented to understand this meaning in greater depth. Let's start with the prayer about reading: it presents this enriching activity as a " solution " to boredom, as a useful resource to take advantage of our time and energy.
In the second example, the term antidote is used in a slightly different way: as a synonym for " strategy " against the performance of a soccer player who manages to score goals with great skill and efficiency, nullifying the opposing team's efforts to win the match. . Finally, we talk about losses, the death of loved ones, a situation that causes incurable pain.