Chernobyl on HBO: What are the symptoms of radiation sickness?

Chernobyl on HBO and Sky Atlantic quickly became one of the most popular TV series of all time when it premiered in May 2019. The HBO mini-series is based on the true story of an explosion in a USSR nuclear power plant in April 1986. With the area still uninhabitable due to the radiation, some Chernobyl viewers want to know what the symptoms of radiation sickness are and what would happen to over exposure.

What are the symptoms of radiation sickness?

Chernobyl on HBO depicted the effects of overexposure to radiation throughout the series.

Radiation sickness can cause a number of different symptoms within someone.

According to non-profit organisation the Mayo Clinic, symptoms can include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Dizziness and disorientation
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Hair loss
  • Bloody vomit and stools from internal bleeding
  • Infections
  • Low blood pressure

WHO IS IN THE CAST OF CHERNOBYL ON HBO?

The charity does mention that nausea and committing are the usual initial signs of radiation sickness.

According to the Mayo Clinic: “After the first round of signs and symptoms, a person with radiation sickness may have a brief period with no apparent illness, followed by the onset of new, more-serious symptoms.

“If you’ve had a mild exposure, it may take hours to weeks before any signs and symptoms begin.

“But with severe exposure, signs and symptoms can begin minutes to days after exposure.”

WILL THERE BE ANOTHER SERIES OF CHERNOBYL ON HBO?

To avoid and minimise the risk of contracting radiation sickness there are a number of things people can do.

The BBC suggests: “The first thing to do is to try to minimise further exposure to contamination by removing clothes and shoes, and gently washing the skin and hair with soap and water.

“Drugs are available that increase white blood cell production to counter any damage that may have occurred to the bone marrow, and to reduce the risk of further infections due to immune-system damage.

“There are also specific drugs that can help to reduce the exposure of internal organs caused by radioactive material by speeding up its removal from the body.”

WHY DO THEY SPEAK ENGLISH IN CHERNOBYL ON HBO?

Long-term risks to radiation exposure and sickness include cancer and mutations.

Radiation can cause disruptions to the way cell inside the body operate.

This change to the control processes typical in cells can result in cancer.

If someone is aware they’ve been overexposed to radiation, they’re required to seek immediate medical care.

Chernobyl is available to watch on NOW TV now.

source: express.co.uk