Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is caused by short-term exposure to high doses of radiation, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Recovery depends on the nature and dosage of radiation, and prevention involves avoiding high-dose sources. Treatment focuses on supportive care, and those who recover may experience long-term health complications. First responders are at increased risk, and nuclear accidents and detonations can cause ARS.
Acute radiation syndrome (ARS), also known as radiation sickness, is a constellation of symptoms associated with short-term exposure to high doses of radiation. Some people recover from radiation exposure, while others can die within weeks or months. The chances of recovery depend on the nature of the radiation and the dosage. Prevention of acute radiation syndrome involves avoiding high-dose sources of radiation.
To develop acute radiation syndrome, most of a person’s body must be exposed to a large amount of penetrating radiation in a short period of time. A classic example of the cause of ARS is the detonation of a nuclear bomb. People who are not properly shielded when the explosion occurs will either die instantly or be exposed to levels of radiation that can lead to radiation sickness. Nuclear accidents can also lead to acute radiation syndrome. First responders such as police and fire service personnel are often at increased risk because they enter dangerous areas before they are fully safe.
There are four stages of this syndrome. The first stage, known as the prodromal stage, involves early symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Then, the patient begins to feel better for hours or days and may appear relatively healthy in the latency stage. This is followed by overt or critical illness, in which the patient experiences neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms such as seizures, coma, confusion, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, the patient’s bone marrow is damaged, causing infection, internal bleeding and anemia.
The fourth stage of acute radiation syndrome is death or recovery. Patients can die because the dose of exposure is too high or because their bodies simply weren’t able to cope with the radiation damage. People who recover may be at risk for health complications later in life. Radiation sickness commonly leads to skin and hair damage that can last for life. Radiation burns to the skin, for example, can scar and will be visible after recovery.
Treatment for patients suffering from acute radiation syndrome focuses on supportive care. This may include hydration to help patients maintain fluid levels if they vomit, cold baths for patients who develop fever, and pain management for patients experiencing severe pain from radiation damage. Because events that can lead to radiation sickness are quite rare, many physicians have limited first-hand experience treating ARS and may seek assistance from experts who respond to radiation disasters.
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