What can be done to prevent the disease?

Preventing exposure to radiation is the only was to prevent radiation sickness.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Sometimes cancers caused by radiation can occur many years after exposure. Late effects may include being unable to have children, frequent infections, and chronic fatigue. The fatigue and infection may be related to a low number of red blood cells and white blood cells being produced in the bone marrow. The person may have other problems depending on what part of the body is affected. The damage to the affected part may be permanent.

What are the risks to others?

A person who is contaminated with radioactive materials will expose others. Contaminated materials must be handled by specially trained people. Once the radioactive material has been removed, the person will not spread radiation.