Medical Consequences of Exposure to Ionizing Irradiation, High Dose Rate Fission or Fusion Bomb, Isotopic Fallout, and the Effects of Radiation Countermeasures

The approach to medical management of individuals, who have been exposed to irradiation, must take into account not only the radiation effects but also the combined injury effects. Particularly, in the setting of a nuclear reactor accident or a fission/fusion bomb, there will be combined injuries that include not only penetrating wounds and fractures, but thermal burns, secondary infections, concussion, and overpressure injuries, but also psychological consequences of stress that elevate inflammatory cytokine levels and can worsen consequences of ionizing radiation exposure.