Säteilyoireyhtymä

Säteilyoireyhtymä, often referred to as radiation sickness or acute radiation syndrome (ARS), is a collection of symptoms that can occur after a person is exposed to a very high dose of ionizing radiation. The severity of the symptoms and the likelihood of survival depend heavily on the dose received, the type of radiation, and the duration of exposure. The human body is particularly sensitive to radiation, and high doses can damage cells, especially those that divide rapidly, such as in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and skin.

The symptoms of säteilyoireyhtymä typically manifest in stages. The initial stage, often called the prodromal stage, may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue, which can appear within minutes to days after exposure. This is often followed by a latent period where the individual may feel better, but significant internal damage is occurring. The manifest illness stage brings out more severe and specific symptoms depending on which organ systems are most affected. This can include a drop in blood cell counts leading to infections and bleeding, hair loss, skin burns, and neurological damage in cases of extremely high doses. Long-term effects can include an increased risk of cancer and genetic mutations. Medical treatment focuses on supportive care, such as managing infections, blood transfusions, and attempting to stimulate the regeneration of damaged bone marrow.