How long following a mild sting do signs of secondary infection, like pus drainage, typically appear?
Answer
Hours to days later
The timeline of symptoms is crucial for differentiating acute envenomation emergencies from subsequent complications like bacterial infection. Acute symptoms associated with venom toxicity, such as anaphylaxis or circulatory distress, manifest rapidly, often within minutes. In contrast, secondary infection—characterized by local signs such as increasing redness, warmth, spreading swelling, or pus draining from the injury site—is a result of bacterial invasion into damaged tissue. This process develops over a delayed period, typically emerging hours to several days after the initial stinging event, contrasting sharply with the immediate nature of systemic venom reactions.
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