How should family members protect themselves after I-131 treatment?

Iodine-131 therapy is a form of radiation treatment suitable for hyperthyroidism and papillary thyroid cancer. After Iodine-131 treatment, there are several protective measures family members should take, including maintaining distance, flushing the toilet before use, handling clothing properly, avoiding public places, and more. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Maintain distance: After Iodine-131 treatment, the patient's body emits radiation. Family members should keep at least one meter away from the patient to avoid radiation exposure, especially pregnant women and children.

2. Flush the toilet before use: Iodine-131 is primarily excreted through bodily waste. After using the toilet, the patient should flush at least twice to reduce radioactive contamination. Family members should flush the toilet after the patient has used it before they themselves use it.

3. Handle clothing carefully: Iodine-131 may also be excreted through sweat. After treatment, family members should either expose the patient’s used clothes and bedding to direct sunlight for more than eight hours or dispose of them by incineration to minimize radiation exposure.

4. Avoid public places: Following Iodine-131 treatment, the patient will be in a hypothyroid state. Family members should prevent the patient from entering public areas to avoid potential adverse effects.

After Iodine-131 treatment, family members should remind the patient to wear a mask to prevent possible radiation contamination.