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We suggest that other explanations are more parsimonious, including factors dependent on the snake and factors associated with the bite victim's response to envenomation. Although bites could become more severe from an increased proportion of bites from larger or more provoked snakes (ie, more venom injected), the venom itself evolves much too slowly to explain the severe symptoms occasionally seen. Increased snakebite severity could also result from a number of demographic changes in the victim profile, including age and body size, behavior toward the snake (provocation), anatomical site of bite, clothing, and general health including asthma prevalence and sensitivity to foreign antigens. Clinical management of bites also changes perpetually, rendering comparisons of snakebite severity over time tenuous. Clearly, careful study taking into consideration many factors will be essential to document temporal changes in snakebite severity or venom toxicity. Presently, no published evidence for these changes exists. The sensationalistic coverage of these atypical bites and accompanying speculation is highly misleading and can produce many detrimental results, such as inappropriate fear of the outdoors and snakes, and distraction from proven snakebite management needs, including a consistent supply of antivenom, adequate health care, and training. We urge healthcare providers to avoid propagating misinformation about snakes and snakebites. <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1016\/j.wem.2010.01.006","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2011,1,19]],"date-time":"2011-01-19T10:23:43Z","timestamp":1295432623000},"page":"35-45","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":23,"title":["Sensationalistic Journalism and Tales of Snakebite: Are Rattlesnakes Rapidly Evolving More Toxic Venom?"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"21","author":[{"given":"William K.","family":"Hayes","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Stephen P.","family":"Mackessy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2010,3,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"bibr1-j.wem.2010.01.006","author":"Myers A.L.","year":"2008","journal-title":"Associated Press"},{"key":"bibr2-j.wem.2010.01.006","author":"Nolan K.","year":"2008","journal-title":"The Arizona Republic"},{"key":"bibr3-j.wem.2010.01.006","unstructured":"Edwards K. 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