Radiation sickness (synonyms: Nuclear accident; atomic bomb explosion; nuclear power plant accident; radiation syndrome; acute radiation syndrome (ARS); radioactive fallout; X-ray burns; radiation sequelae; radiation insult; radiation injury; radiation accidents; ICD-10 T66: Unspecified damage from radiation) can occur after radiation accidents (e. e.g., reactor accident, nuclear disaster) (ICD-10: W91.9!), long-term occupational exposure, or after radiation therapy (radiotherapy, radiatio) in cancer patients. It involves irradiation with ionizing radiation such as X-rays or even gamma radiation.
Acute radiation sickness can be divided into four stages:
- Prodromal stage – occurs after a few hours to days after exposure to radiation and lasts for a few days at most
- Latent stage – this stage usually lasts a few weeks and is characterized by the absence of symptoms or only mild symptoms
- Manifestation stage – all symptoms occur here and, depending on the dose and type of radiation, lead to the
- Recovery or death
Course and prognosis: the course of radiation sickness depends on the dose received. Long-term damage may be minor, but especially in radiation accidents, acute high radiation exposure can lead to coma or death of the affected person. Even mild radiation sickness results in 10% deaths after 30 days!
