Crocodile bites, the Plague and an ‘excessive sex drive’ among weirdest visits to NHS hospitals last year
BRITS were landed in hospital because of crocodile bites, the Plague and “excessive sex drives” last year, official data show.
Hospitalisations for being hit by lightning or exposed to volcanoes and nuclear weapons were also among the weirdest reasons to need medical attention.
Six people with an average age of 68 were “bitten or struck” by a crocodile or alligator, according to MailOnline analysis of NHS figures.
Two men aged over 70 were pounced on in their homes, with one suffering a serious injury.
Another 68 were attacked or “crushed” by other reptiles, including lizards and tortoises, with 22 ending up in the emergency departments.
Ten children and 55 adults were admitted for snake venom, with 10 cases classified as an emergency.
In contrast to the bizarre animal attacks, dogs were behind 9,424 hospitalisations.
Man’s best friend has been thrust into the limelight in recent days, thanks to Rishi Sunak’s pledge to ban XL Bully dogs.
The NHS data also show 42 Brits needed hospital treatment because they had the Plague.
The disease — which killed up to 200million people in Europe during the Black Death in the 1300s — is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis.
Nowadays it can be treated with antibiotics, but it can still be deadly if left untreated.
Meanwhile, 37 Brits were treated at hospital for “excessive sex drive”, 30 of which were men.
They had an average age of 57, with eight admissions for patients aged over 80.
Some 25 people were diagnosed with exhibitionism — getting turned on by flashing naked bodies — and two were diagnosed with voyeurism.
Just under 2,250 people were admitted after having objects get stuck in their rectums, vaginas or urethras.
Finally, nine Brits were hospitalised because they were hit by lightning last year.
Six men and three women required medical attention, with three ending up in the emergency department.
Another six people were treated after being exposed to a volcanic eruption, which can include breathing in ash.
The treatments are likely to have occurred after being exposed overseas.
An 84-year-old man was also admitted to hospital after coming into contact with nuclear weapons, the figures show, although not for an emergency appointment.