Child bitten by copperhead snake while camping in North Carolina

A 4-year-old is recovering after a venomous copperhead bit him on a family camping trip in North Carolina.

Jad was bitten by the copperhead Memorial Day weekend while his family was camping out in the Highlands area in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Doctors credit his father with photographing the snake, saying that helped with treatment.

The Tennessee family described the moment the boy’s playtime turned terrifying.

“I heard Jaddy scream. I knew it was a concerning one,” said Stacey Pollom, Jad’s mother.

The Polloms rushed Jad to a nearby emergency room, where he received 10 vials of anti-venom treatment.

“His symptoms were progressing and were concerning,” Stacey Pollom said, describing the swelling. The boy had to be airlifted to another hospital for a higher level of care — without his parents.

“Truly, it would be most a parent’s worst nightmare to see your kid and that helicopter and not go with them and also recognizing that they’re going to get there hours before you’re going to be able to get to them,” Stacey Pollom said.

After Jad was airlifted, doctors treated him for three days until he stabilized.

Wildlife experts explained how serious a copperhead bite can be and how you can protect your children.

“They are pretty common,” said Kevin Calhoon, curator of forests for the Tennessee Aquarium. “They’re more common on the ridge of Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain. They like rocky woods.”

Calhoon said most copperhead bites in this area come from people picking them up.

If you are bitten, “the wise thing is just relax and just go to emergency room, and getting a picture of the snake is very wise because that tells for sure what the snake was,” Calhoon said.

At the Chattanooga Zoo, experts are debunking a popular myth.

“Do not suck out venom because … you’re basically going to encourage it to go to a different spot, and you could possibly get some in your mouth, and if you have a cut that could cause problems,” said Kate Gore, an animal care supervisor.

Jad gave his parents quite a scare, but his mom said she feels blessed he’s alive.

Experts say, if you live in an area with venomous snakes, you should keep your yard tidy. Snakes sometimes look for food, water and shelter in piles of debris and brush.

Bird feeders can attract rodents, and those can attract snakes.

When hiking, look where you put your hands or feet. If you encounter a snake, walk away and give it time to leave the area.