Is radiation sickness contagious?

[TalnSG]

As usual Nyororin is correct, or at least what I remember from my first aid classes for exposure to nuclear fall out.

Yes, at one time American schools taught such things. For years I have scoffed at having been required to take that course, but now it makes me rather glad to know that I can remember things I was taught 42 years ago and never had to use. (thankfully!)

Other than not following proper decontamination, there are only two other ways I can think of that an irradiated person could pass the problem to another. They would have to have ingested or breathed in so much radioactive material that they were emitting radiation themselves (a quickly fatal level) or you would have to become a cannibal and ingest the radiation in their body which would have a few other detrimental effects as well.

[JBaymore]

What Nyororin said.

best,

.............john

[TalnSG]

I really wish we could see the usernames with the votes, though I think I can guess the two who are so worried.

[JohnBraden]

I was one of those who don't know enough to give an answer, but what I've read here helps me understand it a bit more to lean to the "no" answer.

[Suki]

No, it does not get spread from person to person. However, I'd strongly recommand against getting pregnant if you've been exposed to major radiation cause it might be passed along to the baby. That is the only form of contagion I know of.

[TalnSG]

Originally Posted by JohnBraden

I was one of those who don't know enough to give an answer, but what I've read here helps me understand it a bit more to lean to the "no" answer.

I can truly respect someone not knowing. Were it not for the cold war paranoia I grew up around, I probably would not have known without some research.

[Ryzorian]

radiation "sickness" isn't a disease. It's damage done to the body by free floating electrons that rip your atomic structure apart.