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While antivenin is usually not necessary with contortrix bites they are still a medical emergency and you should always get to the hospital ASAP. Many contortrix bites only cause localized pain and swelling but others can cause systemic symptoms or even anaphylaxis.
When Ms. Terese mentioned that most bites only require cleaning, disinfecting and waiting I didn't want you to interpret her statement to mean that these things should be done at home or that you should wait to seek medical treatment. (I believe she meant that this would be the hospital's course of treatment in most cases.)
Copperheads are awesome animals and make a good first hot for the responsible keeper who already has experience with non venomous snakes.
Just treat them with the same respect that you would treat the most deadly venomous snake and you'll avoid the complacency that causes most bites.
Good luck,
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