Radiation sickness
| Headline | |
|---|---|
| Etiology | |
| Epidemiology | |
| Clinical presentation | Prodrome → latent (apparent recovery) → obvious illness Obvious illness day 25-35 - bone marrow suppression - Gingival bleeding - Epistaxis - Petechiae - Systemic infections and gastrointestinal symptoms lasting up to 4 weeks Risk stratification: acute radiation syndrome system |
| Pathogenesis | |
| Diagnostic investigations | Radiology should have personal dose meters to quantify radioactivity Serial FBC |
| Management | CBRN → decontamination, separating ED 'dirty' and 'clean' Treating staff must have PPE and personal radiation meter Actual medical treatment is conceptually similar to aplastic anaemia Potassium iodide to prevent radioiodine accumulating in thyroid |