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The complex of symptoms characterizing the disease known as radiation
injury, resulting from excessive exposure (greater than 200 rads or 2 gray) of
the whole body (or large part) to ionizing radiation. The earliest of these
symptoms are nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be followed by
loss of hair (epilation), hemorrhage, inflammation of the mouth and throat,
and general loss of energy. In severe cases, where the radiation exposure has
been approximately 1,000 rad (10 gray) or more, death may occur within two to
four weeks. Those who survive 6 weeks after the receipt of a single large dose
of radiation to the whole body may generally be expected to recover.
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