Radiation Sickness

Radiation sickness is caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. The severity of symptoms depends on how much radiation you've absorbed. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headache, fever, dizziness, and hair loss. People who receive high doses of radiation may have a greater risk of developing cancer later in life.

Treatments for radiation sickness include treating injury and infection and maintaining hydration. Potassium iodide can be used to block radioactive iodine uptake in the thyroid to help prevent thyroid cancer caused by radiation sickness.