A Nigerian woman who survived a snake bite has shared a deeply emotional account of her experience, appealing to social media users to stop reposting graphic snake-related videos that she says have triggered severe anxiety and trauma.
In a statement shared online, the survivor revealed that repeated exposure to such videos has left her unable to sleep and in a constant state of panic. She described throwing her phone away several times in a single morning in an attempt to escape the distressing images.
According to her, surviving a snake bite goes far beyond the physical injury. She explained that the psychological impact — particularly anxiety and fear — can linger for a lifetime, adding that panic alone can be fatal if not properly managed.
More troubling was her account of what allegedly transpired after she was rushed to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (UNIZIK) clinic for treatment. She claimed that medical personnel informed her they had only two doses of antivenom available and could not “waste” it on her without confirmation that the snake was venomous.
The survivor said she was reportedly told to bring the snake responsible for the bite before antivenom could be administered — a demand many Nigerians have since described as unrealistic and dangerous in an emergency situation.
Her account has sparked renewed conversations online about emergency preparedness, access to antivenom, and the handling of snake bite cases in Nigerian health facilities. Public health advocates have long warned that delays in administering antivenom significantly increase the risk of death or long-term complications.
The woman’s plea has also reignited discussions around digital sensitivity, with many urging social media users to consider the psychological effects graphic content may have on trauma survivors before reposting.
As reactions continue to pour in, her story highlights not only the hidden trauma faced by snake bite survivors but also broader concerns about healthcare response systems in critical situations across the country.