What is a common symptom of nuclear exposure?

Nausea and fatigue are common symptoms of nuclear exposure due to the way radiation can affect the body. When a person is exposed to significant amounts of radiation, it can cause damage to the cells, particularly those in tissues that rapidly divide, such as those in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow. This cellular damage can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and extreme tiredness. These reactions are part of the acute radiation syndrome that can occur following exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation.

Flu-like symptoms, while they can occur in some situations, are generally more nonspecific and do not directly pinpoint radiation exposure. Pinpoint pupils and rashes that progress to pustules are often associated with other medical conditions or specific toxic exposures, rather than nuclear exposure, making nausea and fatigue a more direct and recognized symptom of such exposure.