Phases of acute polonium poisoning:
(1) prodromal (minutes to days)
(2) latent (hours to 6 weeks)
(3) manifest illness (2 weeks or more)
(4) recovery if the patient survives (months)
Findings during the latent phase may include:
(1) nausea and vomiting
(2) diarrhea
(3) anorexia
(4) fever
(5) confusion or nervousness
(6) burning sensation
(7) impaired consciousness
(8) damage to the bone marrow with lymphopenia
During the latent phase the patient appears to be improving.
Findings during the manifest illness phase may include:
(1) pancytopenia from bone marrow failure
(2) severe diarrhea with electrolyte imbalances
(3) alopecia
(4) coma
Late complications may include leukemia and cancer.
