Is it safe to be around someone who had radioactive iodine 3 days after treatment?
Question:
Answers:
Don't worry about it.
A few days after treatment, the radioactive iodine will clear out of their body in the urine. Drinking plenty of fluids during this time will help their body get rid of the radioactivity. To avoid exposing other people to radioactivity, it is important to take the following precautions for the first 5 days after their treatment:
Avoid spending a lot of time around others, especially children and pregnant women.
Do not sit next to someone in a motor vehicle for more than 1 hour.
Avoid kissing or sexual intercourse.
Sleep alone in a separate room.
Use separate towels, washcloths, and sheets. Wash these and your personal clothing separately for 1 week.
To further reduce the chance of exposing other people to radioactivity:
Wash your hands with soap and lots of water each time you use the toilet.
Keep the toilet very clean. Men should urinate sitting down to avoid splashing. Also, flush the toilet two or three times after each use.
Rinse the bathroom sink and tub thoroughly after you use them.
Use separate (or disposable) eating utensils for the first few days, and wash them separately.
It isn't a problem. Don't worry about it. All is okay.
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