What are common short-term effects of radiation exposure?

Short-term effects of radiation exposure often manifest shortly after the exposure occurs and can include symptoms such as hair loss and nausea. These effects result from the immediate impact of radiation on rapidly dividing cells in the body. Hair follicles are highly sensitive to radiation; as a result, exposure can lead to hair loss due to damage to these cells.

Nausea is another common short-term effect and is typically associated with the gastrointestinal tract's sensitivity to radiation. High doses of radiation can disrupt the normal functioning of the cells lining the intestines, leading to nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. These short-term effects are usually seen at higher levels of exposure and are indicative of more acute radiation syndrome.

In contrast, the other options describe longer-term effects or conditions that arise from more chronic exposure to radiation. Cancer, low birth weight, genetic mutations, cataracts, embryologic defects, and fractures pertain to longer-term health outcomes associated with radiation rather than immediate reactions to short-term exposure.