Radiation Sickness: Recognizing Symptoms and Managing Without Medical Care

Symptom timing indicates dose severity. Mild-to-moderate (0.5–2 Gy): nausea/vomiting starts 2–6 hours after exposure. Severe (2–6 Gy): vomiting begins within 30 minutes. Lethal (6+ Gy): immediate severe nausea, vomiting within 10 minutes. Time between exposure and symptom onset = critical indicator. Observe carefully.

Symptoms appear 2–6 hours post-exposure. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea within first 24 hours. Mild erythema (skin reddening) in exposed areas. Fatigue, weakness, headache. Hair loss begins 2–3 weeks later. Bleeding from gums or nose 1–2 weeks in. Immune suppression increases infection risk after day 7. Most recover with supportive care over 6–8 weeks.

Vomiting within 30 minutes or earlier. Severe diarrhea with blood within hours. Confusion, disorientation, ataxia (loss of balance). Severe burns where exposed. High fever (101–104°F) develops rapidly. Mouth ulcers within days. Hemorrhaging from multiple sites within 1 week. Sepsis risk extremely high. Prognosis poor without medical intervention; focus on comfort care.

Keep person lying flat in darkened room. Provide IV fluids if trained (normal saline or Ringer's lactate). If no IV access, offer frequent small sips of electrolyte solution (salt, sugar, water). Monitor urine output (dark urine = dehydration). If vomiting severe, withhold food. Avoid solid foods for 24–48 hours. Apply cool compresses for fever >101°F. Monitor for signs of bleeding (blood in urine, stool, vomit). Document all vitals and observations.

Metoclopramide or ondansetron: reduce nausea/vomiting (critical for fluid retention). Loperamide: control diarrhea but avoid if bloody. Paracetamol or ibuprofen: fever, pain (max 4g/day paracetamol). Amoxicillin or other broad-spectrum antibiotics: prevent infection from day 7 onward (immune system compromised). Potassium chloride and sodium chloride: rehydration. Antihistamines for pruritus (itching). Oral thrush: treat with nystatin or miconazole. Dosages must follow package instructions; adjust for age/weight.

For severe exposure with poor prognosis: prioritize comfort over curative measures. Morphine or codeine: manage pain and dyspnea (breathlessness). Benzodiazepines: reduce anxiety and seizures. Chlorpromazine or haloperidol: manage agitation, nausea in terminal phase. Provide oral care every 2–4 hours (soft brush, saline rinses). Keep person cool and dry. Offer ice chips if swallowing tolerated. Speak calmly; hearing remains intact. Document comfort measures and medication timing.