Medical response to radiation incidents and radionuclear threats

摘要

Doctors' unfamiliarity with radiation injuries means they are often misdiagnosed; medical training in this subject needs urgent improvement. Doctors should be aware of the acute and delayed effects of exposure to ionising radiation. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, weakness, and lymphocytopenia may indicate exposure to radiation. The higher the radiation dose to the whole body, the faster and more severe the reduction of blood cell counts. Clinical signs typical for radiation injury of the skin include erythema, depilation, dry and moist desquamation, blistering, ulceration, and necrosis. Doctors need up to date contact information about competent health and radiation protection services.