Everything You Need to Know About Acute Radiation Syndrome

Acute radiation syndrome is an illness caused by exposure of the entire body to high energy penetrating radiation in a short duration. The ill-effects are caused due to the death or depletion of specific essential cells in the body. Moreover, the DNA gets ripped apart. Hence, the body cannot repair itself. 

Effects on The Human Body

Radiation exposure for humans are measured in units called Greys (Gy). Usually, 1 Grey is equivalent to the absorption of 1 joule of radiation energy per kilo of matter. Typically, low doses of radiation do not cause long term harm in humans.

Exposure to 1-2 Greys will lead to symptoms such as mild headaches, nausea and vomiting within 2-6 hours. However, there are no long term effects, and the affected individual fully recovers. The mortality rate is between 0 to 5%.

Exposure to 2-6 Greys will result in the following symptoms within two hours:

severe nausea and vomiting, mild diarrhoea and moderate headaches. Mild fever typically accompanies the symptoms. The affected individual also experiences cognitive impairment lasting between 6 and 20 hours. Moreover, there is a moderate reduction of white blood cells in the affected individual, increasing the risk of infection. When the radiation dose exceeds 3 Greys, the individual experiences baldness (Alopecia). Mortality rate without medical care is as high as 95%; with medical care, the mortality rate is between 5-50%.

Exposure to radiation above 8 Greys will almost always result in severe vomiting and diarrhoea. High fever with severe headaches will also manifest within hours of exposure. Most other symptoms will set in less than 60 minutes after exposure. The central nervous system also shuts down, resulting in rapid incapacitation. The mortality rate is between 99-100% even with medical treatment. Death usually occurs within two days to two weeks. Exposure to 30 Greys will result in the death of the individual within 48 hours. The mortality rate is 100% in such cases.

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